Revered as a cultural icon in the Arab world and beyond, Marcel Khalife is deeply attached to the text of great contemporary Arab poets and is an innovator in Arab music who draws upon traditional forms and blends Western elements to create an evocative sound that has captivated audiences around the world. His extensive body of work transcends his lyrical works to encompass groundbreaking compositions, orchestral and choral works, music for dance, and concertos for a variety of traditional Arabic instruments.
In June 2005, Marcel was named UNESCO Artist for Peace for his artistic achievement and humanitarian contributions. In 2008, he helped establish the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) and was named its music director and resident composer.