For me "classical" is orientale - it is performed to fully orchestrated pieces with strong Western influences - such as arabesques and lots of use of floor patterns - and an upright posture and good isolation. There's lots of layering to match the complexity of the music. Costumes include full skirts to capture the sweep of the movement. Think Samia Gamal.
"Modern" is post-Raqia. The movements are smaller with more use of contractions and ab work - and the "straight-legged" shimmy (which isn't). Think Dina.
Just to confuse you more, the piece Tawila & Safiyya did at the show was not "Modern Egyptian" dance- but rather, a piece choreographed to modern Egyptian music.
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