Post by davidhr on Sept 14, 2008 14:17:53 GMT -5
The homage to Pavarotti took place last night in Paris, with singers such as Laura Pausini, Garou, Christophe Willem and various opera singers performing. Videos are available on dailymotion and youtube. As is obvious, non-opera singers did appear, but Lara did not (or at least nobody reported her being there). Unfortunately, none of Lara’s French sites is covering this topic, and unless some enterprising journalist or fan asks her directly, we will probably never know why she wasn’t on the schedule after first having been announced. The official reason, that it was changed to be an “all-opera singer” affair, was clearly shown to be inaccurate. Perhaps closer to the truth is the other comment Christian made when reporting on Lara’s ‘dis-invitation’ – he said it wasn’t by their desire. Possibly someone in the hierarchy (and Jean-Felix Lalanne put the show together) didn’t want her. Too bad … this show will get wide publicity when it’s broadcast on French TV next week, and Lara could use it. Unless she herself refused to appear, one would think she would not be happy with the turn of events.
On the other hand, Lara’s upcoming concert in Athens has finally come to the attention of the French populace. Here’s an announcement that Chara posted:
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I am delighted to announce to you that Lara Fabian and Mario Frangoulis will give a concert together (again) at the Odeon of Atticus Herodus at the Acropolis (Herodeion) on the 24th of September 2008 .
The purpose of the concert is to support financially the creation of the first "City of Peace" by World Centers of Compassion for Children International (WCCCI), in the area of Basilica in Italy.
Ticket prices vary from 25 to 80 euros and ticket sales begun today. For more details call at +30210-3272000. Tomorrow you might also be able to make a purchase through the web (www.greekfestival.gr and www.herodeion-events.gr/ ).
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Although the official site still hasn’t confirmed it, several people called the number given and found it was true (and the email Paula reported from the Frangoulis people announcing it several weeks ago was also a very good indicator!). The poster for it is available at:
i154.photobucket.com/albums/s268/ioannam67/Poster_lowRes_final.jpg
One can see that at this concert Pierre Grimard will return as Lara’s pianist, another positive sign!
Speculation continues on what will be on Lara’s album with Matt Herskowitz, and whether it will be an album of reprises as he stated. La Grenouille posted on Hezia’s site several of Lara’s past answers concerning reprises (in translation):
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From PLATINE :Novembre 98, speaking about the preparation of her first English album…
We saw you on television doing “Syracuse” with Henry Salvador. You have sung “Je suis malade” by Lama and recently a homage to Brel. Can you one day see yourself recording an album of reprises?
Lara: “Syracuse” is one of my favorite songs. It’s true, I think to make one day an album of reprises with an original concept that I will not reveal, for fear of it coming back to prick me. There will be 15 or 20 songs mixing cultures, illustrated by some photos that will draw the progression that brought me to choose them. One will find, Brel, Lama, Aznavour, Sardou, Berger, Balavoine, Goldman, Ferré, Ferrat, Brassens, Alice Donna, Sanson, but also Gershwin, Christopher Cross, Gary Moore, Ruben Ford…
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And from PLATINE, November 2003, here discussing what she felt about a 2nd English album, or perhaps an album an album of reprises…
Will there not be a reprise in France “Evergreen” of Streisand, perhaps?
Lara: I have perhaps an idea of reprise, but it will be necessary for it to be opportune.
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Same article, this time discussing the promo of the CD/DVD of ETI…
In this CD/DVD, besides “Pour que tu m’aimes encore”, there are therefore many reprises, more than previously. Is this then a desire on your part?
Lara: This is a luxury, a true luxury. I really did what I wanted. As long as it is done in piano/voice I said to myself that I could allow it. To do reprises, is also to create a mood, the one of the joy of rediscovering melodies of others and tinging them a little with our colors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There have been other occasions more recently where Lara indicated it was not always necessary to write one’s own songs, and that re-doing songs of others could equally make a statement if done right. All this, in conjunction with Matt's statements, does suggest that its time has arrived, perhaps featuring some of the songwriters mentioned. It will probably not be completely (or even primarily) in piano/voice, since Matt Herskowitz has discussed the involvement of other musicians.
angelyelliel posted two nice photos of Lara at:
www.moviemarket.fr/Photos/P205236_C72792.html
www.moviemarket.fr/Photos/P205236_C73760.html
Finally, this next week features Lara joining Mario Frangoulis at his concert in London. It will be one of the few concert performances for her in an English speaking country, abbreviated though it may be, and in that sense, it mirrors her performance in Italy last year with Gigi d’Alessio. Let’s hope it leads to a reinvigoration of a multi-lingual career.
David
On the other hand, Lara’s upcoming concert in Athens has finally come to the attention of the French populace. Here’s an announcement that Chara posted:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am delighted to announce to you that Lara Fabian and Mario Frangoulis will give a concert together (again) at the Odeon of Atticus Herodus at the Acropolis (Herodeion) on the 24th of September 2008 .
The purpose of the concert is to support financially the creation of the first "City of Peace" by World Centers of Compassion for Children International (WCCCI), in the area of Basilica in Italy.
Ticket prices vary from 25 to 80 euros and ticket sales begun today. For more details call at +30210-3272000. Tomorrow you might also be able to make a purchase through the web (www.greekfestival.gr and www.herodeion-events.gr/ ).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although the official site still hasn’t confirmed it, several people called the number given and found it was true (and the email Paula reported from the Frangoulis people announcing it several weeks ago was also a very good indicator!). The poster for it is available at:
i154.photobucket.com/albums/s268/ioannam67/Poster_lowRes_final.jpg
One can see that at this concert Pierre Grimard will return as Lara’s pianist, another positive sign!
Speculation continues on what will be on Lara’s album with Matt Herskowitz, and whether it will be an album of reprises as he stated. La Grenouille posted on Hezia’s site several of Lara’s past answers concerning reprises (in translation):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From PLATINE :Novembre 98, speaking about the preparation of her first English album…
We saw you on television doing “Syracuse” with Henry Salvador. You have sung “Je suis malade” by Lama and recently a homage to Brel. Can you one day see yourself recording an album of reprises?
Lara: “Syracuse” is one of my favorite songs. It’s true, I think to make one day an album of reprises with an original concept that I will not reveal, for fear of it coming back to prick me. There will be 15 or 20 songs mixing cultures, illustrated by some photos that will draw the progression that brought me to choose them. One will find, Brel, Lama, Aznavour, Sardou, Berger, Balavoine, Goldman, Ferré, Ferrat, Brassens, Alice Donna, Sanson, but also Gershwin, Christopher Cross, Gary Moore, Ruben Ford…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And from PLATINE, November 2003, here discussing what she felt about a 2nd English album, or perhaps an album an album of reprises…
Will there not be a reprise in France “Evergreen” of Streisand, perhaps?
Lara: I have perhaps an idea of reprise, but it will be necessary for it to be opportune.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Same article, this time discussing the promo of the CD/DVD of ETI…
In this CD/DVD, besides “Pour que tu m’aimes encore”, there are therefore many reprises, more than previously. Is this then a desire on your part?
Lara: This is a luxury, a true luxury. I really did what I wanted. As long as it is done in piano/voice I said to myself that I could allow it. To do reprises, is also to create a mood, the one of the joy of rediscovering melodies of others and tinging them a little with our colors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There have been other occasions more recently where Lara indicated it was not always necessary to write one’s own songs, and that re-doing songs of others could equally make a statement if done right. All this, in conjunction with Matt's statements, does suggest that its time has arrived, perhaps featuring some of the songwriters mentioned. It will probably not be completely (or even primarily) in piano/voice, since Matt Herskowitz has discussed the involvement of other musicians.
angelyelliel posted two nice photos of Lara at:
www.moviemarket.fr/Photos/P205236_C72792.html
www.moviemarket.fr/Photos/P205236_C73760.html
Finally, this next week features Lara joining Mario Frangoulis at his concert in London. It will be one of the few concert performances for her in an English speaking country, abbreviated though it may be, and in that sense, it mirrors her performance in Italy last year with Gigi d’Alessio. Let’s hope it leads to a reinvigoration of a multi-lingual career.
David