Post by davidhr on Dec 3, 2013 13:02:58 GMT -5
Lara completed her three concerts in Eastern Europe this past week, successfully so it would appear (and won’t it be nice when that doesn’t have to be a concern).
The trip started in Kalininigrad on the 27th, where, as it was in the other locations, cold weather was a dominant theme. Here’s Lara arriving there:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=587751711278497&set=vb.166959643357708&type=2&theater
The concert was the standard ‘Le Secret’ show, with the addition of ‘Love Like a Dream’ in Russian, and as such it went over very well. Here was one fan’s comment:
“The return of a concert of Lara Fabian, impressive, incredible emotion! Lara really talented! Singer of the century! Throughout the concert I had recourse to a large Murashika (camera?) and sometimes had tears. This magical voice plunges you into a state of bliss and sadness at the same time. Elusive happiness…!”
Some wonderful photos from Kaliningrad, with Lara sporting a leather vest:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587066171341013&set=a.587066148007682.1073741914.103390503041918&type=1&theater
Fans prepared the ‘usual surprises’, raising placards with the word ‘merci’ when ‘Je t’aime’ was sung, and turning on the light from their mobile phone for ‘Je reve d’une etoile’. Of the videos available on youtube, here’s one with Lara and the audience response:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-luUtvVxhc
and for ‘’Je reve d’une etoile’:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy5h8QK-kow
Then it was onto Riga, Latvia. Lara once again referred to the supermarket collapse that killed a number of people in Riga shortly before her arrival, just prior to her song ‘La vie est la’, which, after all, is close to that in spirit. In fact with some of her words, she could have been talking about what she has been going through. The video is at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=588594487860886&set=vb.166959643357708&type=2&theater
Her message was, "During the journey of this lifetime we encounter impacts and pains that go beyond what we could absolutely imagine would happen. Here in this country you just went through tragedy. I just want to bring my heart to you and tell you that in the deepest storm with support, strength and solidarity we come out of the storm. My heart is here tonight with you and for everyone who has lost a loved one - just to let them know that these times will pass and we will hold their memory in our hearts forever. May Godspeed healing, may Godspeed strength to all of you. Thank you!"
A video of this plus the subsequent song (and the following, contrasting song) can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlMyiz2kz7o
It’s sometimes tricky to find videos from these countries on youtube, since Lara’s name is mentioned, if at all, in Russian letters. Don’t miss the videos at:
www.youtube.com/user/viktaful/videos
Lara then concluded in Minsk, Belarus on the 29th, with a jam-packed hall. An article described the event (http://www.kp.by/daily/26166.7/3053088/) (translation by google, so please forgive any mistakes!)
--------------------------------------------
Good evening and welcome to the concert of Lara Fabian! Club patrons organized a surprise for Lara, in which you could participate! The leaflets were arranged on each chair of the Palace of Sports. They were carefully read by their audience - the crowd filled the area quickly, just a half hour before the start. The singer had to enter the packed stage in the hall, there was nowhere even for an apple to fall, they had to put ladders, chairs, and the journalists all sat down on the steps of the stalls .
In the Palace of Sports on the program "Le Secret" came admirers of completely different age and economic status - someone bought a ticket for one and a half million, and someone - 270 thousand, someone brought a gift of a hundred red rose and someone – a nice toy, something resembling a big-eyed hamster that Fabian then took for a long cuddle. And all these people gave her standing ovation literally for a third of the compositions that the French star sang.
Lara Fabian came on the stage with little or no delay, outfits did not change, only the when she first came on the scene in the Boyar, covered almost to the toe in a fur coat On stage - no corps de ballet or grandiose scenery - just sincere and genuine feelings, emotions and a recognizable voice.
- Good evening , thank you! – She said with absolutely no accent. A little later, and she did not need any words – the hall roared with delight, sang, and on the famous hit "Je t’aime" all the spectators raised their white sheets and the hall turned into a white paper box, in which Fabian’s eyes ran. And ten minutes earlier when everything was illuminated by lights from mobile phones during her lyrical ballad [Je reve d’une etoile], Lara said, " How beautiful!". Here the singer broke down and just cried. So it was now for a couple of minutes, considering the sea waving the paper. And finally, all the participants were pleased with the song " Love Is Like a Dream", which was performed with a little French style. Fans responded to her with thunderous applause.
------------------------------------------------------------
The article includes several wonderful pictures of Lara in a fur coat (with apologies to animal rights lovers…maybe it is faux fur…).
Lara receiving flowers:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yjosRielWk
Lara crying at the leaflets for Je t’aime
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbQA1H_KEU4
A clever gift for Lara of 'Le Secret' cupcakes:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=628766723831495&set=a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591&type=1&theater
And a bit more of a close-up:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587810604599903&set=a.104315726282729.2679.103390503041918&type=1&theater
and Lara’s reply: “Thanks from all my heart”.
You may remember that just last month Lara was criticized for going to countries whose governments were dictatorships. While she backed down on her scheduled concert in Uzbekistan, she was also pressured about going to Belarus. However, she drew the line, saying she would not go to government run events, but would ‘reward’ her fans in those countries, who have hard enough lives as it is. The fans' delighted reaction on seeing her is a very strong point in favor of her argument. And, therefore, Lara plans to go back: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0YnZyrLBkA
When one sees the reaction of fans in these countries to Lara’s appearance, one can understand why she goes out of her way: she values that emotion more than playing in some more ‘well—connected’ venues to less-concerned audiences. However, she might find that other places (e.g., Western Europe, Brazil, etc.) could offer a lot of emotion as well. She’ll have a chance to test that out in New York, and Toronto. Lara has for the first time also added concerts in Finland and Bulgaria for next fall, a positive expansive sign for her ‘world tour’.
Perhaps also the emotional response is why she seems to sing with more ‘gusto’ in these countries than in many of her French performances. Fans have focused particularly on Lara’s rendition of ‘Je t’aime’, which in ‘foreign’ countries is the big bombastic version, while in France it is the quieter acoustic one. It seems as if Lara runs away from the stereotype of her in France, while in these other countries, runs toward it, giving the fans what they want.
This apparent lack of emotional expression during such songs was also behind the review of Julian Piraud, from last week. However, in contrast to that, there was another review, one that praised her performance in Paris (http://www.nostendresannees.com/concerts/lara-fabian-au-theatre-du-chatelet-son-secret-ses-anges.html). Here is a relevant (translated) part:
-----------------------------------------------------
“The decor is minimalist, 4 musicians, a dancer and a magician (Gabriel di Giorgio , husband of Lara Fabian) . But "Le Secret" does not need more, the lyrics are a story in themselves ...
Lara has a very special relationship with her audience, her "angels" as she has nicknamed them. One almost feels a stranger as this link is so strong.
Particularly important is the beautiful tableau around "I am I wa", a beautiful lyrical song, the only English title on the album "The Secret ." The emotion is there, growing around an artist totally overwhelmed by what the public sends to her. Love. And this is the only thing that Lara expects in this business”.
--------------------------------------------------------
This article also comes with some nice pictures.
Also concerning Paris, in case you missed it, there are a number of excellent videos of the 11/16 concert, at: www.youtube.com/user/FanArtCP/videos
The big question concerning these recent shows, of course, was whether Lara came out of them unscathed, health-wise. That her issues are probably still continuing is illustrated by her interactions with the sound engineer in the video of ‘Un ange est tombe’ for the show in Kaliningrad, www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201953018578503&set=o.104543256256462&type=2&theater, at the 22 second and then again the 2:15 mark. She appeared to be indicating that the sound was too loud. However, the fact that she hasn’t cancelled the upcoming concerts in France next week must be thought of as a good sign. In any event, she is continuing to adjust her schedule to three concerts then at least eight days off extending through next spring, so they probably feel it will take at least that long to really heal.
On the 30th Lara was shown on the TF1 TV program “50 minutes inside Lara Fabian”. “(Translated) Summary: It has moved us in recent weeks her confidences about her deafness; health problems that could some day curb the evolution of her career. At age 43, however, Lara Fabian does not intend to lose touch with her fans. While she had to cancel some of her tour, the singer received us there a few days ago and entrusted us with all sincerity. Always delicate, Lara Fabian tells us of 5 days in her life. A portrait by Olivia FabresseIt” can be seen at:
www.dailymotion.com/video/x17uxi7_50-mn-inside-lara-fabian_shortfilms?start=32
The five days included her first major performance at Eurovision with 'Croire' (4/30/88); the beginning of her 'adventure' in Quebec with her first album (8/16/91), her arrival in France (with ‘Je t'aime’, 2/28/98); her performance with Johnny Hallyday (‘Requiem pour un flu’, 9/4/98); and her family (with video from the program of 10/17/13). Lara also said on the show that the lyrics for ‘Je t’aime’ were written in the middle of a snowstorm while traveling in a car. Fans thought it was meaningful that the professionally important dates all ended in 1998, but perhaps that is to be expected, events often being more significant when one is 'on the way up'.
Last evening was the auction of dolls, “Frimousses de Créateurs 2013”, for which Lara is the Godmother. There was a short video of it, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=780221728660400&set=vb.169523766396869&type=2&theater
In this regard, Lara is spending her own money: She bought the ‘Jay Ahr’ Doll and also the Gucci doll, each for 1200 €;
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588760934504870&set=a.104315726282729.2679.103390503041918&type=1&theater
in addition, she sold her clutch bag with her lip gloss inside for 1500 €
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588763471171283&set=p.588763471171283&type=1&theater).
When she saw what it went for she apparently said, laughingly, next year it will be my shoes!
Some more pictures of Lara at the event:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=590439661009702&set=a.590093991044269.1073741853.166959643357708&type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588925987821698&set=a.588711147843182.1073741917.103390503041918&type=1&theater
The LaraFabianweb FB site put together a short video to show fans’ support of Lara in her ‘time of need’; it can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1375780725999846&set=vb.1375621676015751&type=2&theater
Although not obviously in direct response, this from Lara could have been:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=587427741304856&set=vb.103390503041918&type=2&theater
As has been noted in several past updates, Lara is teaming up with hairdressers to publicize World AIDS Day. Here is her (translated) statement from her FB page:
--------------------------------------------------
Dear all, on 1 December it will be World AIDS Day...
On this occasion I lend my image to L'Oreal professionals for operation "Hairdressers against AIDS" alongside stylist David Lucas... This awareness campaign is relayed in more than 5000 salons everywhere in France...
We must remain completely mobilized... because the battle is not over... Lov. Lara
---------------------------------------------------
along with an accompanying picture, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=628029960571838&set=a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591&type=1&theater
Lara has been getting (deserved) publicity for her efforts, e.g.,
/photo/1
You can vote for Lara in the category ‘best female artist’ of the World Music Awards, at:
vote.worldmusicawards.com/selectnomination.asp?cat=4
It was at those awards in 1999 that Lara performed one of her most emotional versions of ‘Je t’aime’ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUnv97VPBko). Coincidentally, with the voting coming up at this point, it further emphasizes the difference between then and now in France.
In the ‘popularity’ department, Le Secret has dropped down to 117 in France, and down to 32nd in Belgium. The Lara Fabian Brazil site noted that Lara had opened up an account with ‘vevo’; though they say ‘Soleil soleil’ is there, the only video I can find there is the one with Gigi d’Alessio (http://www.vevo.com/watch/gigi-dalessio/un-cuore-malato/IT5080700068). Presumably she could use it for subsequent video releases. Lara is also using her Instagram site, often just to keep up connection to fans, e.g.,
Lara is on her break this week, and will return to her concerts in France next Monday through Wednesday. On a personal note, due to travel commitments, next week’s update will appear on Sunday, 12/8; it will return to Tuesday the week after (12/17).
David
The trip started in Kalininigrad on the 27th, where, as it was in the other locations, cold weather was a dominant theme. Here’s Lara arriving there:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=587751711278497&set=vb.166959643357708&type=2&theater
The concert was the standard ‘Le Secret’ show, with the addition of ‘Love Like a Dream’ in Russian, and as such it went over very well. Here was one fan’s comment:
“The return of a concert of Lara Fabian, impressive, incredible emotion! Lara really talented! Singer of the century! Throughout the concert I had recourse to a large Murashika (camera?) and sometimes had tears. This magical voice plunges you into a state of bliss and sadness at the same time. Elusive happiness…!”
Some wonderful photos from Kaliningrad, with Lara sporting a leather vest:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587066171341013&set=a.587066148007682.1073741914.103390503041918&type=1&theater
Fans prepared the ‘usual surprises’, raising placards with the word ‘merci’ when ‘Je t’aime’ was sung, and turning on the light from their mobile phone for ‘Je reve d’une etoile’. Of the videos available on youtube, here’s one with Lara and the audience response:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-luUtvVxhc
and for ‘’Je reve d’une etoile’:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy5h8QK-kow
Then it was onto Riga, Latvia. Lara once again referred to the supermarket collapse that killed a number of people in Riga shortly before her arrival, just prior to her song ‘La vie est la’, which, after all, is close to that in spirit. In fact with some of her words, she could have been talking about what she has been going through. The video is at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=588594487860886&set=vb.166959643357708&type=2&theater
Her message was, "During the journey of this lifetime we encounter impacts and pains that go beyond what we could absolutely imagine would happen. Here in this country you just went through tragedy. I just want to bring my heart to you and tell you that in the deepest storm with support, strength and solidarity we come out of the storm. My heart is here tonight with you and for everyone who has lost a loved one - just to let them know that these times will pass and we will hold their memory in our hearts forever. May Godspeed healing, may Godspeed strength to all of you. Thank you!"
A video of this plus the subsequent song (and the following, contrasting song) can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlMyiz2kz7o
It’s sometimes tricky to find videos from these countries on youtube, since Lara’s name is mentioned, if at all, in Russian letters. Don’t miss the videos at:
www.youtube.com/user/viktaful/videos
Lara then concluded in Minsk, Belarus on the 29th, with a jam-packed hall. An article described the event (http://www.kp.by/daily/26166.7/3053088/) (translation by google, so please forgive any mistakes!)
--------------------------------------------
Good evening and welcome to the concert of Lara Fabian! Club patrons organized a surprise for Lara, in which you could participate! The leaflets were arranged on each chair of the Palace of Sports. They were carefully read by their audience - the crowd filled the area quickly, just a half hour before the start. The singer had to enter the packed stage in the hall, there was nowhere even for an apple to fall, they had to put ladders, chairs, and the journalists all sat down on the steps of the stalls .
In the Palace of Sports on the program "Le Secret" came admirers of completely different age and economic status - someone bought a ticket for one and a half million, and someone - 270 thousand, someone brought a gift of a hundred red rose and someone – a nice toy, something resembling a big-eyed hamster that Fabian then took for a long cuddle. And all these people gave her standing ovation literally for a third of the compositions that the French star sang.
Lara Fabian came on the stage with little or no delay, outfits did not change, only the when she first came on the scene in the Boyar, covered almost to the toe in a fur coat On stage - no corps de ballet or grandiose scenery - just sincere and genuine feelings, emotions and a recognizable voice.
- Good evening , thank you! – She said with absolutely no accent. A little later, and she did not need any words – the hall roared with delight, sang, and on the famous hit "Je t’aime" all the spectators raised their white sheets and the hall turned into a white paper box, in which Fabian’s eyes ran. And ten minutes earlier when everything was illuminated by lights from mobile phones during her lyrical ballad [Je reve d’une etoile], Lara said, " How beautiful!". Here the singer broke down and just cried. So it was now for a couple of minutes, considering the sea waving the paper. And finally, all the participants were pleased with the song " Love Is Like a Dream", which was performed with a little French style. Fans responded to her with thunderous applause.
------------------------------------------------------------
The article includes several wonderful pictures of Lara in a fur coat (with apologies to animal rights lovers…maybe it is faux fur…).
Lara receiving flowers:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yjosRielWk
Lara crying at the leaflets for Je t’aime
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbQA1H_KEU4
A clever gift for Lara of 'Le Secret' cupcakes:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=628766723831495&set=a.622966977744803.1073741829.201065806601591&type=1&theater
And a bit more of a close-up:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587810604599903&set=a.104315726282729.2679.103390503041918&type=1&theater
and Lara’s reply: “Thanks from all my heart”.
You may remember that just last month Lara was criticized for going to countries whose governments were dictatorships. While she backed down on her scheduled concert in Uzbekistan, she was also pressured about going to Belarus. However, she drew the line, saying she would not go to government run events, but would ‘reward’ her fans in those countries, who have hard enough lives as it is. The fans' delighted reaction on seeing her is a very strong point in favor of her argument. And, therefore, Lara plans to go back: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0YnZyrLBkA
When one sees the reaction of fans in these countries to Lara’s appearance, one can understand why she goes out of her way: she values that emotion more than playing in some more ‘well—connected’ venues to less-concerned audiences. However, she might find that other places (e.g., Western Europe, Brazil, etc.) could offer a lot of emotion as well. She’ll have a chance to test that out in New York, and Toronto. Lara has for the first time also added concerts in Finland and Bulgaria for next fall, a positive expansive sign for her ‘world tour’.
Perhaps also the emotional response is why she seems to sing with more ‘gusto’ in these countries than in many of her French performances. Fans have focused particularly on Lara’s rendition of ‘Je t’aime’, which in ‘foreign’ countries is the big bombastic version, while in France it is the quieter acoustic one. It seems as if Lara runs away from the stereotype of her in France, while in these other countries, runs toward it, giving the fans what they want.
This apparent lack of emotional expression during such songs was also behind the review of Julian Piraud, from last week. However, in contrast to that, there was another review, one that praised her performance in Paris (http://www.nostendresannees.com/concerts/lara-fabian-au-theatre-du-chatelet-son-secret-ses-anges.html). Here is a relevant (translated) part:
-----------------------------------------------------
“The decor is minimalist, 4 musicians, a dancer and a magician (Gabriel di Giorgio , husband of Lara Fabian) . But "Le Secret" does not need more, the lyrics are a story in themselves ...
Lara has a very special relationship with her audience, her "angels" as she has nicknamed them. One almost feels a stranger as this link is so strong.
Particularly important is the beautiful tableau around "I am I wa", a beautiful lyrical song, the only English title on the album "The Secret ." The emotion is there, growing around an artist totally overwhelmed by what the public sends to her. Love. And this is the only thing that Lara expects in this business”.
--------------------------------------------------------
This article also comes with some nice pictures.
Also concerning Paris, in case you missed it, there are a number of excellent videos of the 11/16 concert, at: www.youtube.com/user/FanArtCP/videos
The big question concerning these recent shows, of course, was whether Lara came out of them unscathed, health-wise. That her issues are probably still continuing is illustrated by her interactions with the sound engineer in the video of ‘Un ange est tombe’ for the show in Kaliningrad, www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201953018578503&set=o.104543256256462&type=2&theater, at the 22 second and then again the 2:15 mark. She appeared to be indicating that the sound was too loud. However, the fact that she hasn’t cancelled the upcoming concerts in France next week must be thought of as a good sign. In any event, she is continuing to adjust her schedule to three concerts then at least eight days off extending through next spring, so they probably feel it will take at least that long to really heal.
On the 30th Lara was shown on the TF1 TV program “50 minutes inside Lara Fabian”. “(Translated) Summary: It has moved us in recent weeks her confidences about her deafness; health problems that could some day curb the evolution of her career. At age 43, however, Lara Fabian does not intend to lose touch with her fans. While she had to cancel some of her tour, the singer received us there a few days ago and entrusted us with all sincerity. Always delicate, Lara Fabian tells us of 5 days in her life. A portrait by Olivia FabresseIt” can be seen at:
www.dailymotion.com/video/x17uxi7_50-mn-inside-lara-fabian_shortfilms?start=32
The five days included her first major performance at Eurovision with 'Croire' (4/30/88); the beginning of her 'adventure' in Quebec with her first album (8/16/91), her arrival in France (with ‘Je t'aime’, 2/28/98); her performance with Johnny Hallyday (‘Requiem pour un flu’, 9/4/98); and her family (with video from the program of 10/17/13). Lara also said on the show that the lyrics for ‘Je t’aime’ were written in the middle of a snowstorm while traveling in a car. Fans thought it was meaningful that the professionally important dates all ended in 1998, but perhaps that is to be expected, events often being more significant when one is 'on the way up'.
Last evening was the auction of dolls, “Frimousses de Créateurs 2013”, for which Lara is the Godmother. There was a short video of it, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=780221728660400&set=vb.169523766396869&type=2&theater
In this regard, Lara is spending her own money: She bought the ‘Jay Ahr’ Doll and also the Gucci doll, each for 1200 €;
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588760934504870&set=a.104315726282729.2679.103390503041918&type=1&theater
in addition, she sold her clutch bag with her lip gloss inside for 1500 €
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588763471171283&set=p.588763471171283&type=1&theater).
When she saw what it went for she apparently said, laughingly, next year it will be my shoes!
Some more pictures of Lara at the event:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=590439661009702&set=a.590093991044269.1073741853.166959643357708&type=1&theater
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588925987821698&set=a.588711147843182.1073741917.103390503041918&type=1&theater
The LaraFabianweb FB site put together a short video to show fans’ support of Lara in her ‘time of need’; it can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1375780725999846&set=vb.1375621676015751&type=2&theater
Although not obviously in direct response, this from Lara could have been:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=587427741304856&set=vb.103390503041918&type=2&theater
As has been noted in several past updates, Lara is teaming up with hairdressers to publicize World AIDS Day. Here is her (translated) statement from her FB page:
--------------------------------------------------
Dear all, on 1 December it will be World AIDS Day...
On this occasion I lend my image to L'Oreal professionals for operation "Hairdressers against AIDS" alongside stylist David Lucas... This awareness campaign is relayed in more than 5000 salons everywhere in France...
We must remain completely mobilized... because the battle is not over... Lov. Lara
---------------------------------------------------
along with an accompanying picture, at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=628029960571838&set=a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591&type=1&theater
Lara has been getting (deserved) publicity for her efforts, e.g.,
/photo/1
You can vote for Lara in the category ‘best female artist’ of the World Music Awards, at:
vote.worldmusicawards.com/selectnomination.asp?cat=4
It was at those awards in 1999 that Lara performed one of her most emotional versions of ‘Je t’aime’ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUnv97VPBko). Coincidentally, with the voting coming up at this point, it further emphasizes the difference between then and now in France.
In the ‘popularity’ department, Le Secret has dropped down to 117 in France, and down to 32nd in Belgium. The Lara Fabian Brazil site noted that Lara had opened up an account with ‘vevo’; though they say ‘Soleil soleil’ is there, the only video I can find there is the one with Gigi d’Alessio (http://www.vevo.com/watch/gigi-dalessio/un-cuore-malato/IT5080700068). Presumably she could use it for subsequent video releases. Lara is also using her Instagram site, often just to keep up connection to fans, e.g.,
http://instagram.com/p/hTkicPh86l#, and
http://instagram.com/p/hOiV7sB8-k#
Lara is on her break this week, and will return to her concerts in France next Monday through Wednesday. On a personal note, due to travel commitments, next week’s update will appear on Sunday, 12/8; it will return to Tuesday the week after (12/17).
David
