Post by davidhr on Sept 13, 2016 7:52:01 GMT -5
Lara pushed eastward this past week, stopping first for her performance at the New Wave Festival now in Sochi, Russia. She was on the stage for some 38 minutes. Many high quality videos are available – thank you to all the people who provided them – as listed below (some given in multiple links, though there’s really no distinction among them). There’s also a ‘complete’ version of when Lara was on stage (and not when she wasn’t – so the songs with Hvorostovsky and Yarovaya do not include the first segments before Lara came on – the full versions will be found in the individual listings):
Je t’aime encore: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoRSDDrkzg0
Sons and Daughter (with Sumi Jo): www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSIbuoGpl2w
Llora: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-YC4Yj7CI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ySSxTa6kKs
Toi et moi (with Dimitri Hvorostovsky):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6yTKUKyRvg
Mademoiselle Hyde: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy4jChkhpxI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRIOIiVLuIk
Ti amo cosi (with Alina Yarovaya and Dmitri Hvorostovsky): www.youtube.com/watch?v=COV8aw-GZrU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNeRFiZeERc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EG3ygbT1Fo
Love like a dream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7WYbasKxgk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nctx73fbmg
(and there are other 'combinations' of Lara’s songs available on youtube…)
Lara’s Complete on-stage performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lICbRh4EsVI
For those interested in the full show that evening, it can be found at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfYIzTD-uTM
Note: the 'Lara Fabian web' site posted an (incomplete) Instagram video of Lara performing Mama Moya in Sochi apparently the evening before, September 6; it can be seen at
The 'Lara Fabian est ton autre' site had some nice photos of Lara’s arrival in Sochi,
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1100122573374739/1100122476708082/?type=3&theater
and additional nice pictures of her at the concert,
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1098647483522248/1098646550189008/?type=3&theater
Other sources of pictures are the 'Lara Fabian Connecting People' FB site
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianCP/photos/pcb.1690153067974791/1690152967974801/?type=3&theater
and
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianCP/photos/pcb.1690154431307988/1690154344641330/?type=3&theater
and the 'Lara Fabian Brazil' site,
(http://www.larafabian.com.br/2016/09/lara-fabian-se-apresenta-no-festival.html).
This was a ‘performance’, with the songs pre-recorded, as it is Krutoi’s modus operandi to make sure “nothing goes wrong”. [NB: one tell-tale sign that the songs are being lip-synced is when Lara holds the microphone very close to her mouth…]. About the setlist: the parallel world that Lara enters when she goes to a Krutoi event reappeared once again, dominated by songs from ‘Mademoiselle Zhivago’, an album that is now more than six years old. There were no ‘new songs’, or unrecorded ones, so nothing to indicate that an album including the unrecorded Krutoi songs presented at previous New Wave festivals is any closer to fruition. In addition to all the other issues, Lara may not want anything conflicting with the new English album. But given her rapprochement with Krutoi, there’s still a chance that Mademoiselle Zhivago 2 might eventually show up…we can hope!
She was joined by her usual partners at these events, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Sumi Jo, and also Alina Yarovaya. It was very good to see Dmitri Hvorostovsky who, you may know, has been recovering from a brain tumor. An article and video about his return to the Met in New York can be found at: www.wqxr.org/#!/story/ailing-baritone-showered-roses-metropolitan-opera-return/
Then Lara (or more likely her team) put the following image on her FB site:
scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14292466_1232684636773031_2591883564177229565_n.jpg?oh=14f10f01f50e6246251dc26cfbcc7eaf&oe=58740A59
with the caption, “旅行到中国 ... Vous avez compris ?”
Which meant: Travel to China (you understood)?
The audience did get it (probably at least for some with the help of the ever present Google translator…).
And then a beautiful picture,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/1234500166591478/?type=3
with the more readily understandable caption (in English), “Short helicopter transfer to Macao”.
Here’s what Wikipedia says about Macao or Macau:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Macau, also spelled Macao, officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, China. Macau is also bordered by the city of Zhuhai in Mainland China to the North and the Pearl River Estuary to the East and South. Hong Kong lies about 64 kilometres (40 mi) to its East across the Delta. With an estimated population of around 652,500 living in an area of 30.5 km2 (11.8 sq mi), it is the most densely populated region in the world.
Macau was administered by the Portuguese Empire and its inheritor states from the mid-16th century until late 1999, when it was the last remaining European colony in Asia. Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 1550s. In 1557, Macau was rented to Portugal from Ming China as a trading port. The Portuguese Empire administered the city under Chinese authority and sovereignty until 1887, when Macau, through a mutual agreement between the two countries, became a colony. Sovereignty over Macau was transferred to China on 20 December 1999. The Joint Declaration on the Question of Macau and Macau Basic Law stipulate that Macau operate with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2049, fifty years after the transfer.
Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the State Council of the People's Republic of China is responsible for military defense and foreign affairs while Macau maintains its own legal system, public security force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy. Macau participates in international organizations and events that do not require members to possess national sovereignty.
Macau is among the world's richest regions, and as of 2015 its GDP per capita by purchasing power parity is higher than that of any country in the world, according to the World Bank. It became the world's largest gambling center in 2006, with the economy heavily dependent on gambling and tourism, as well as manufacturing. According to The World Factbook, Macau has the fourth highest life expectancy in the world. Moreover, it is one of only a few regions in Asia with a "very high Human Development Index", ranking 18th in the world as of 2014.
---------------------------------------------
At the same time, Rob Mancuso, Lara’s occasional sound engineer, was also traveling to the same general vicinity, as he posted a picture with the legend that he was flying to Hong Kong
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154628091029255&set=a.10150261245104255.342208.636394254&type=3&theater
The article indicates that Macau is the world’s largest gambling center, and as the LFIAG site notes, there is an article from Macau (https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/wilfred-wong-nao-teme-eventual-canibalizacao-do-mercado/) indicating the opening today of the “Parisian” with 100 new gambling tables. Rozenn Roz, on the LFIAG Select site, posted an Instragram video by Anna Kryazhevskikh of Lara rehearsing ‘Je suis malade’, available at:
She suggested Lara was to perform last night, i.e., in time to celebrate the opening. So this seems like it is really a business trip. The Lara Fabian Web site had a commentary about that, translated below:
-----------------------------------------------------
She made a stopover in Hong Kong and is currently in Macau where she will participate in a major event and very anticipated by the Macanese people. Indeed, Macao, the international capital of the game in China, will soon have an ultra luxurious casino with the theme the French Capital: "the Parisian Macao".
The Inauguration of the casino will take place on Tuesday 13 September. We can admire on the site a replica of the Eiffel Tower (half as great as the original) erected in front of the hotel. But it's not all! There will be fireworks, a real light show on the replica of the Eiffel Tower and... a concert of Lara ❤
------------------------------------------------------
They then posted a link to a video of the Parisian Macao Hotel, at (https://www.parisianmacao.com/macau-hotel/attractions/eiffel-tower.html#01).
Well, Lara is much in demand, and although she didn't trumpet it on her FB site, the people in Macau should get to see her too. It’s not very likely we’ll see any videos of Lara’s performance – but her fans have surprised us before!
Lara obviously can’t stay too long, for she is due in Greece in nine days for her concert in Athens. She provided a short video promo, available at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/videos/vb.443548625770236/543865879071843/?type=2&theater
The Lara Fabian Greece FB site indicated there are many posters in the street, e.g.,
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/photos/a.443804005744698.1073741828.443548625770236/543112759147155/?type=3&theater
That same site then had a link to an article about that concert, in particular the opening act (http://www.tff.gr/events/arthro/oi_stereo_soul_tha_einai_to_opening_act_sti_synaulia_tis_lara_fabian-130477071/); here’s the (mostly Google) translation:
----------------------------------------
The STEREO SOUL will be the opening act in concert for LARA FABIAN
Since the end of X Factor, they will be alongside unique diva singer, Lara Fabian. Chasing their dream and declaring themselves fanatical fans of Lara Fabian, they long ago competed in the final stage of X Factor, where they sang one of the most remarkable achievements of Lara Fabian, the song "Je Suis Malade". Today brings them even closer to the one and unrepeatable singer, Lara Fabian!
The STEREO SOUL are Panayiotis Pallis and Bradley White-Dale who said: "I'm ecstatic that we will open the concert of Lara Fabian in Athens. I am a fan from my childhood, she is one shocking, full of soul at the performer level, lodging in the soul in every appearance and ... this voice! My one dream comes true and I look forward to meet her! It is a huge honor to sing on the same stage with her! It will be a magical night! "... Says Bradley while Panos adds ... " I find it hard to realize that our appearance with "Je Suis Malade" in the final of X Factor Greece resulted in making successful our final proposal to open the concert in Athens! Not disclosing the price and my enthusiasm, I look forward to the know-how and I hope to stand decently at her side! "
A few biographical details about their SOUL STEREO
Panayiotis Pallis was born and raised in Athens. The child of a large family, studying Molecular Biology and Genetics, but his great passion from childhood was song. Thus he has never attended voice lessons, but he cultivated the talent of self-education from an early age with the weapon his good ear and watching artists - influences, such as George Michael, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand. His father was a drummer and worked with all the big names of Greek music for over 50 years, exposing him to a variety of musical sounds like soul, jazz, RnB, which added to the already broad listening repertoire. After thinking a few years, he made his participation in X Factor Greece in 2016 and won 3rd place as a member of the male duo Stereo Soul, along with close friend and collaborator Bradley White-Dale.
Bradley White-Dale hails from London. He trained in classical voice as a child, singing in choirs and as a solo artist in concert halls and churches in the UK and beyond. As an adult, he has sung RnB, soul, funk & pop in bands and has participated in many international collaborations and performances worldwide. With the power of his vocal abilities and riveting stage presence, he has amazed and entertained commonly throughout Europe and North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, after training in the Theatre and Film Institute of Lee Strasberg in New York, he also worked as an actor both on stage and on camera. In 2016, as a member of the duo Stereo Soul he won the 3rd place in the X Factor Greece.
---------------------------------------
And Lara Fabian Greece also provided to an interview with Lara in the Greek press (http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/1144931/lara-fabian-oi-ellines-eiste-polumixanos-laos). Here, again, is the (mostly Google) translation:
---------------------------------------
Lara Fabian: "... the Greeks are resourceful people ..."
The ultimate diva of modern song speaks on the occasion of the concert at OAKA
Monday, September 12, 2016 10:30
George S.. Koulouvaris gkoul@naftemporiki.gr
The ultimate diva of the modern song, one voice with incredible extent, hidden passion, talent, feeling and melody, counting - from the late 80s until today - dozens of successes, Lara Fabian, visits Athens and talks about her concert at Centre court Tennis Stadium, Wednesday, September 21, at 9 pm.
What will you present at your unique concert in Athens?
LF: For some time, I insisted especially that my team do all the necessary steps in order to get my tour in Greece. I am particularly pleased that we managed, so on September 21, I will be in the Athenian stage with the show "Ma vie dans la tienne" ("My life in yours"), based on my last album, but includes songs the audience knows from my previous albums. In performance, we will dance, cry, laugh together. Actually, the real fun is on stage and I wish the same to be true for the public.
When and how did you start on your journey to the magical world of music?
LF: Always, I say that I feel that music is the one who chose me, and not vice versa. I come from a family, all women who used to sing daily in the kitchen and cooked, around the table with friends. I was a little child, when, with pomp, I announced to my father: "I am a singer." After 25 years of career and 12 albums, I still write, to compose and to interpret the world. And I consider myself very lucky.
What was one of the most powerful and emotional moments of your career?
LF: The artist can not do anything without emotion and feeling. When I interpret a song that I wrote, I tell a story and connect with the public, through the lyrics, the music and my voice. There are many magical moments created by this connection, and that clearly depends on public action, but also my personal mood. The world has the ability to recognize the sincerity and emotional communication link, something that is false can not be at a high level. I have many fond memories of this magic, on stage, my communication with the public. Some of them were visible, concrete and some were in the depth of my soul, of my heart. It is impossible to single out any of them.
What does the music do in the body, the mind and soul?
LF: Music is an integral part of me, of my identity. I'm not one person on stage or studio and another at home, with family and friends. The way I express myself is the emotional bridge, which connects with the audience. When I share my personal stories as I do in the show "Ma vie dans la tienne", I speak and sing for my parents, my mother, my daughter, my husband and my best friend. And the best way to express my feelings for my favorites is my music. It has also been scientifically proven that the sounds have a direct impact on our bodies at the cellular level in our DNA. I firmly believe that, through music, can lead to inner peace, which is what we so desperately need this season. Peace and change starts from within.
What are your impressions about Greece and the Greek public?
LF: I have many dear friends in Greece, including artists that I consider idols like Nana Mouskouri. And I can not bring my mind to Greece without thinking of Maria Callas, who is always a legend to me and is one of the reasons I started singing. The Greek public is very special, as it always has with the Mediterranean background, combining the West and the East. As a child of a Sicilian mother, I am very sensitive to this. My mother is from Catania, and I spent my childhood in the shadow of Mount Etna. I know very well how closely historic Sicily is linked to Greece. And I always feel an intimate relationship with the Greek public, which is a bit like visiting distant cousins.
Greece is experiencing a difficult situation. What are your thoughts on this?
LF: I watch as closely the economic crisis afflicting your country. And I grieve deeply with personal stories that I hear from my Greek friends, for families in difficulty. I am not an economist and I can not make judgments about one or the other solution, but I truly believe that the Greeks are resourceful people. You are on a hard road, but ultimately this great country will emerge stronger from this challenge. Also, I hope that European partners will provide the necessary support to Greece. Europe is a union of solidarity, not selfishness. We are in this together.
A wish for your future?
LF: We live in difficult and turbulent times. Knowing that will sound trite, I honestly wish that we can do the right things, so we do not leave this battered world as an inheritance to our children. We are all responsible and able to create a personal change, we need as a society. I hope you do not follow the sirens with chants of populism, to reject the trappings of extremism, to fight racism, discrimination and violence, to find sympathy and compassion in our hearts, to incarnate the change ourselves and find within us the peace we seek around us. This is my deepest wish, it is my wish.
----------------------------------------------------
As usual, a wonderful interview.
And finally, for those looking for an even more symbolic connection, Xavier Parra on the LFAIG Select site noted an article which affirmed that Lara is a Greek first name. It goes on to say, “The first name Lara, like its principle variant Larisa, is associated with a Greek term meaning ‘seagull’. Lara is charming and you would find it hard to resist her. Sensible and sociable, she will know to surround herself with friends who will be close to her heart. The creativity that she could develop will open numerous doors for her.” Sounds about right!
.
Lara doesn’t have much more undiluted time to work on the English album, because 10 days after the Greece concert the next segment of her ‘Ma vie dans la tienne’ tour begins in Toulouse. Her trip to China must indicate that she is not worried about finishing the album, either because it’s mostly done or there is no real hurry. We still don’t know the dates of any tour events next year (outside of Poland), but having the album available would be a big plus for the North American and perhaps South American shows (and perhaps almost everywhere else, as well).
There was an interview with Natalie on her site (https://www.facebook.com/Nataliamusicofficial/photos/a.735888766545143.1073741832.667197860080901/872472139553471/?type=3&theater) in which discussion of Lara’s new English album arose. Here’s the translation:
---------------------------------------------------
We learn, among other things, that Lara is now working on an album in English with a Swedish producer. Why Swedish?
Natalie: "Because they have a very clear idea of what pop is today. Their approach is neither for the great ballads a la American, nor of the French variety."
We also learn that Lara has already asked many times for a duet with Celine Dion but ...
Natalie: "There are teams, artists who have their hands tied and I believe that this slowness in the response is a team question because every time I met her, she was always cordial and pleasant."
------------------------------------------------------
Interesting news! One wouldn’t want to bet on it happening, however [IMHO ].
And then there’s the on-going question of Lara’s participation in the French version of The Voice (that would appear to impact her plans for the English album tour). The MZ FB site posted a link to an article about the plans for the judges/coaches on the Voice (http://www.jeanmarcmorandini.com/article-358745-the-voice-sur-tf1-change-tout-garou-ecarte-et-remplace-par-m-pokora-jenifer-renonce-a-la-saison-6-zazie-incertaine.html). Here’s the translation:
------------------------------------------------------
The Voice on TF1 changes everything! Garou discarded and replaced by M Pokora - Jenifer renounces season 6 – Zazie uncertain
TV | The Voice
He is probably the juror of The Voice who is friendliest and most cheerful, yet Garou is about to be dismissed from the program.
According to our colleagues at ‘Voici’ the arrival of M. Pokora instead of Garou would be recorded.
"Considering the involvement of Quebecoise juror in the broadcast too weak, Shine, the company that produces The Voice has not reaffirmed him."
We also know that Jenifer will not be in season 6 and that nothing is done yet about Zazie.
In short, concerning The Voice, we have the impression that change is now!
----------------------------------------------------
None of this means Lara is really in line to be a judge/coach on the show; one gets the feeling that if they were really very interested in her they would have ‘wrapped her up’ quickly considering her always busy schedule. We can speculate that perhaps because she publicly expressed interest they may have taken her availability for granted. We’ll see in the coming weeks how many changes really take place on a show that has maintained a relatively constant pool of judges over the years.
Interesting photo(s) of the week:
From the Lara Fabian Connecting People FB site, of Lara preceding the concert [and at the center of the world],
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianCP/photos/pb.1474601329529967.-2207520000.1473719569./1690152967974801/?type=3&theater
Lara with Krutoi, from the Lara Fabian Brazil site:
www.larafabian.com.br/2016/09/lara-fabian-se-apresenta-no-festival.html
and with Hvorostovsky and Yarovaya from the Lara Fabian est ton autre site,
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1098647483522248/1098647236855606/?type=3&theater
By this time next week Lara will be in Greece. We’ll see if there are any interviews ahead of her concert, and whether there will be reports of guests who could join her. Lara is certainly world-trotting – as she said in an interview last week, traveling is part of her job. Fortunately, she seems to enjoy it.
David
Je t’aime encore: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoRSDDrkzg0
Sons and Daughter (with Sumi Jo): www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSIbuoGpl2w
Llora: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-YC4Yj7CI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ySSxTa6kKs
Toi et moi (with Dimitri Hvorostovsky):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6yTKUKyRvg
Mademoiselle Hyde: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy4jChkhpxI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRIOIiVLuIk
Ti amo cosi (with Alina Yarovaya and Dmitri Hvorostovsky): www.youtube.com/watch?v=COV8aw-GZrU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNeRFiZeERc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EG3ygbT1Fo
Love like a dream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7WYbasKxgk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nctx73fbmg
(and there are other 'combinations' of Lara’s songs available on youtube…)
Lara’s Complete on-stage performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lICbRh4EsVI
For those interested in the full show that evening, it can be found at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfYIzTD-uTM
Note: the 'Lara Fabian web' site posted an (incomplete) Instagram video of Lara performing Mama Moya in Sochi apparently the evening before, September 6; it can be seen at
http://instagram.com/p/BKCGJ1dj0rT
The 'Lara Fabian est ton autre' site had some nice photos of Lara’s arrival in Sochi,
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1100122573374739/1100122476708082/?type=3&theater
and additional nice pictures of her at the concert,
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1098647483522248/1098646550189008/?type=3&theater
Other sources of pictures are the 'Lara Fabian Connecting People' FB site
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianCP/photos/pcb.1690153067974791/1690152967974801/?type=3&theater
and
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianCP/photos/pcb.1690154431307988/1690154344641330/?type=3&theater
and the 'Lara Fabian Brazil' site,
(http://www.larafabian.com.br/2016/09/lara-fabian-se-apresenta-no-festival.html).
This was a ‘performance’, with the songs pre-recorded, as it is Krutoi’s modus operandi to make sure “nothing goes wrong”. [NB: one tell-tale sign that the songs are being lip-synced is when Lara holds the microphone very close to her mouth…]. About the setlist: the parallel world that Lara enters when she goes to a Krutoi event reappeared once again, dominated by songs from ‘Mademoiselle Zhivago’, an album that is now more than six years old. There were no ‘new songs’, or unrecorded ones, so nothing to indicate that an album including the unrecorded Krutoi songs presented at previous New Wave festivals is any closer to fruition. In addition to all the other issues, Lara may not want anything conflicting with the new English album. But given her rapprochement with Krutoi, there’s still a chance that Mademoiselle Zhivago 2 might eventually show up…we can hope!
She was joined by her usual partners at these events, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Sumi Jo, and also Alina Yarovaya. It was very good to see Dmitri Hvorostovsky who, you may know, has been recovering from a brain tumor. An article and video about his return to the Met in New York can be found at: www.wqxr.org/#!/story/ailing-baritone-showered-roses-metropolitan-opera-return/
Then Lara (or more likely her team) put the following image on her FB site:
scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14292466_1232684636773031_2591883564177229565_n.jpg?oh=14f10f01f50e6246251dc26cfbcc7eaf&oe=58740A59
with the caption, “旅行到中国 ... Vous avez compris ?”
Which meant: Travel to China (you understood)?
The audience did get it (probably at least for some with the help of the ever present Google translator…).
And then a beautiful picture,
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/1234500166591478/?type=3
with the more readily understandable caption (in English), “Short helicopter transfer to Macao”.
Here’s what Wikipedia says about Macao or Macau:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Macau, also spelled Macao, officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, China. Macau is also bordered by the city of Zhuhai in Mainland China to the North and the Pearl River Estuary to the East and South. Hong Kong lies about 64 kilometres (40 mi) to its East across the Delta. With an estimated population of around 652,500 living in an area of 30.5 km2 (11.8 sq mi), it is the most densely populated region in the world.
Macau was administered by the Portuguese Empire and its inheritor states from the mid-16th century until late 1999, when it was the last remaining European colony in Asia. Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 1550s. In 1557, Macau was rented to Portugal from Ming China as a trading port. The Portuguese Empire administered the city under Chinese authority and sovereignty until 1887, when Macau, through a mutual agreement between the two countries, became a colony. Sovereignty over Macau was transferred to China on 20 December 1999. The Joint Declaration on the Question of Macau and Macau Basic Law stipulate that Macau operate with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2049, fifty years after the transfer.
Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the State Council of the People's Republic of China is responsible for military defense and foreign affairs while Macau maintains its own legal system, public security force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy. Macau participates in international organizations and events that do not require members to possess national sovereignty.
Macau is among the world's richest regions, and as of 2015 its GDP per capita by purchasing power parity is higher than that of any country in the world, according to the World Bank. It became the world's largest gambling center in 2006, with the economy heavily dependent on gambling and tourism, as well as manufacturing. According to The World Factbook, Macau has the fourth highest life expectancy in the world. Moreover, it is one of only a few regions in Asia with a "very high Human Development Index", ranking 18th in the world as of 2014.
---------------------------------------------
At the same time, Rob Mancuso, Lara’s occasional sound engineer, was also traveling to the same general vicinity, as he posted a picture with the legend that he was flying to Hong Kong
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154628091029255&set=a.10150261245104255.342208.636394254&type=3&theater
The article indicates that Macau is the world’s largest gambling center, and as the LFIAG site notes, there is an article from Macau (https://pontofinalmacau.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/wilfred-wong-nao-teme-eventual-canibalizacao-do-mercado/) indicating the opening today of the “Parisian” with 100 new gambling tables. Rozenn Roz, on the LFIAG Select site, posted an Instragram video by Anna Kryazhevskikh of Lara rehearsing ‘Je suis malade’, available at:
http://instagram.com/p/BKQ0CPGAbmQ
She suggested Lara was to perform last night, i.e., in time to celebrate the opening. So this seems like it is really a business trip. The Lara Fabian Web site had a commentary about that, translated below:
-----------------------------------------------------
She made a stopover in Hong Kong and is currently in Macau where she will participate in a major event and very anticipated by the Macanese people. Indeed, Macao, the international capital of the game in China, will soon have an ultra luxurious casino with the theme the French Capital: "the Parisian Macao".
The Inauguration of the casino will take place on Tuesday 13 September. We can admire on the site a replica of the Eiffel Tower (half as great as the original) erected in front of the hotel. But it's not all! There will be fireworks, a real light show on the replica of the Eiffel Tower and... a concert of Lara ❤
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They then posted a link to a video of the Parisian Macao Hotel, at (https://www.parisianmacao.com/macau-hotel/attractions/eiffel-tower.html#01).
Well, Lara is much in demand, and although she didn't trumpet it on her FB site, the people in Macau should get to see her too. It’s not very likely we’ll see any videos of Lara’s performance – but her fans have surprised us before!
Lara obviously can’t stay too long, for she is due in Greece in nine days for her concert in Athens. She provided a short video promo, available at:
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/videos/vb.443548625770236/543865879071843/?type=2&theater
The Lara Fabian Greece FB site indicated there are many posters in the street, e.g.,
www.facebook.com/larafabiangreece/photos/a.443804005744698.1073741828.443548625770236/543112759147155/?type=3&theater
That same site then had a link to an article about that concert, in particular the opening act (http://www.tff.gr/events/arthro/oi_stereo_soul_tha_einai_to_opening_act_sti_synaulia_tis_lara_fabian-130477071/); here’s the (mostly Google) translation:
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The STEREO SOUL will be the opening act in concert for LARA FABIAN
Since the end of X Factor, they will be alongside unique diva singer, Lara Fabian. Chasing their dream and declaring themselves fanatical fans of Lara Fabian, they long ago competed in the final stage of X Factor, where they sang one of the most remarkable achievements of Lara Fabian, the song "Je Suis Malade". Today brings them even closer to the one and unrepeatable singer, Lara Fabian!
The STEREO SOUL are Panayiotis Pallis and Bradley White-Dale who said: "I'm ecstatic that we will open the concert of Lara Fabian in Athens. I am a fan from my childhood, she is one shocking, full of soul at the performer level, lodging in the soul in every appearance and ... this voice! My one dream comes true and I look forward to meet her! It is a huge honor to sing on the same stage with her! It will be a magical night! "... Says Bradley while Panos adds ... " I find it hard to realize that our appearance with "Je Suis Malade" in the final of X Factor Greece resulted in making successful our final proposal to open the concert in Athens! Not disclosing the price and my enthusiasm, I look forward to the know-how and I hope to stand decently at her side! "
A few biographical details about their SOUL STEREO
Panayiotis Pallis was born and raised in Athens. The child of a large family, studying Molecular Biology and Genetics, but his great passion from childhood was song. Thus he has never attended voice lessons, but he cultivated the talent of self-education from an early age with the weapon his good ear and watching artists - influences, such as George Michael, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand. His father was a drummer and worked with all the big names of Greek music for over 50 years, exposing him to a variety of musical sounds like soul, jazz, RnB, which added to the already broad listening repertoire. After thinking a few years, he made his participation in X Factor Greece in 2016 and won 3rd place as a member of the male duo Stereo Soul, along with close friend and collaborator Bradley White-Dale.
Bradley White-Dale hails from London. He trained in classical voice as a child, singing in choirs and as a solo artist in concert halls and churches in the UK and beyond. As an adult, he has sung RnB, soul, funk & pop in bands and has participated in many international collaborations and performances worldwide. With the power of his vocal abilities and riveting stage presence, he has amazed and entertained commonly throughout Europe and North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, after training in the Theatre and Film Institute of Lee Strasberg in New York, he also worked as an actor both on stage and on camera. In 2016, as a member of the duo Stereo Soul he won the 3rd place in the X Factor Greece.
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And Lara Fabian Greece also provided to an interview with Lara in the Greek press (http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/1144931/lara-fabian-oi-ellines-eiste-polumixanos-laos). Here, again, is the (mostly Google) translation:
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Lara Fabian: "... the Greeks are resourceful people ..."
The ultimate diva of modern song speaks on the occasion of the concert at OAKA
Monday, September 12, 2016 10:30
George S.. Koulouvaris gkoul@naftemporiki.gr
The ultimate diva of the modern song, one voice with incredible extent, hidden passion, talent, feeling and melody, counting - from the late 80s until today - dozens of successes, Lara Fabian, visits Athens and talks about her concert at Centre court Tennis Stadium, Wednesday, September 21, at 9 pm.
What will you present at your unique concert in Athens?
LF: For some time, I insisted especially that my team do all the necessary steps in order to get my tour in Greece. I am particularly pleased that we managed, so on September 21, I will be in the Athenian stage with the show "Ma vie dans la tienne" ("My life in yours"), based on my last album, but includes songs the audience knows from my previous albums. In performance, we will dance, cry, laugh together. Actually, the real fun is on stage and I wish the same to be true for the public.
When and how did you start on your journey to the magical world of music?
LF: Always, I say that I feel that music is the one who chose me, and not vice versa. I come from a family, all women who used to sing daily in the kitchen and cooked, around the table with friends. I was a little child, when, with pomp, I announced to my father: "I am a singer." After 25 years of career and 12 albums, I still write, to compose and to interpret the world. And I consider myself very lucky.
What was one of the most powerful and emotional moments of your career?
LF: The artist can not do anything without emotion and feeling. When I interpret a song that I wrote, I tell a story and connect with the public, through the lyrics, the music and my voice. There are many magical moments created by this connection, and that clearly depends on public action, but also my personal mood. The world has the ability to recognize the sincerity and emotional communication link, something that is false can not be at a high level. I have many fond memories of this magic, on stage, my communication with the public. Some of them were visible, concrete and some were in the depth of my soul, of my heart. It is impossible to single out any of them.
What does the music do in the body, the mind and soul?
LF: Music is an integral part of me, of my identity. I'm not one person on stage or studio and another at home, with family and friends. The way I express myself is the emotional bridge, which connects with the audience. When I share my personal stories as I do in the show "Ma vie dans la tienne", I speak and sing for my parents, my mother, my daughter, my husband and my best friend. And the best way to express my feelings for my favorites is my music. It has also been scientifically proven that the sounds have a direct impact on our bodies at the cellular level in our DNA. I firmly believe that, through music, can lead to inner peace, which is what we so desperately need this season. Peace and change starts from within.
What are your impressions about Greece and the Greek public?
LF: I have many dear friends in Greece, including artists that I consider idols like Nana Mouskouri. And I can not bring my mind to Greece without thinking of Maria Callas, who is always a legend to me and is one of the reasons I started singing. The Greek public is very special, as it always has with the Mediterranean background, combining the West and the East. As a child of a Sicilian mother, I am very sensitive to this. My mother is from Catania, and I spent my childhood in the shadow of Mount Etna. I know very well how closely historic Sicily is linked to Greece. And I always feel an intimate relationship with the Greek public, which is a bit like visiting distant cousins.
Greece is experiencing a difficult situation. What are your thoughts on this?
LF: I watch as closely the economic crisis afflicting your country. And I grieve deeply with personal stories that I hear from my Greek friends, for families in difficulty. I am not an economist and I can not make judgments about one or the other solution, but I truly believe that the Greeks are resourceful people. You are on a hard road, but ultimately this great country will emerge stronger from this challenge. Also, I hope that European partners will provide the necessary support to Greece. Europe is a union of solidarity, not selfishness. We are in this together.
A wish for your future?
LF: We live in difficult and turbulent times. Knowing that will sound trite, I honestly wish that we can do the right things, so we do not leave this battered world as an inheritance to our children. We are all responsible and able to create a personal change, we need as a society. I hope you do not follow the sirens with chants of populism, to reject the trappings of extremism, to fight racism, discrimination and violence, to find sympathy and compassion in our hearts, to incarnate the change ourselves and find within us the peace we seek around us. This is my deepest wish, it is my wish.
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As usual, a wonderful interview.
And finally, for those looking for an even more symbolic connection, Xavier Parra on the LFAIG Select site noted an article which affirmed that Lara is a Greek first name. It goes on to say, “The first name Lara, like its principle variant Larisa, is associated with a Greek term meaning ‘seagull’. Lara is charming and you would find it hard to resist her. Sensible and sociable, she will know to surround herself with friends who will be close to her heart. The creativity that she could develop will open numerous doors for her.” Sounds about right!
. Lara doesn’t have much more undiluted time to work on the English album, because 10 days after the Greece concert the next segment of her ‘Ma vie dans la tienne’ tour begins in Toulouse. Her trip to China must indicate that she is not worried about finishing the album, either because it’s mostly done or there is no real hurry. We still don’t know the dates of any tour events next year (outside of Poland), but having the album available would be a big plus for the North American and perhaps South American shows (and perhaps almost everywhere else, as well).
There was an interview with Natalie on her site (https://www.facebook.com/Nataliamusicofficial/photos/a.735888766545143.1073741832.667197860080901/872472139553471/?type=3&theater) in which discussion of Lara’s new English album arose. Here’s the translation:
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We learn, among other things, that Lara is now working on an album in English with a Swedish producer. Why Swedish?
Natalie: "Because they have a very clear idea of what pop is today. Their approach is neither for the great ballads a la American, nor of the French variety."
We also learn that Lara has already asked many times for a duet with Celine Dion but ...
Natalie: "There are teams, artists who have their hands tied and I believe that this slowness in the response is a team question because every time I met her, she was always cordial and pleasant."
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Interesting news! One wouldn’t want to bet on it happening, however [IMHO
].And then there’s the on-going question of Lara’s participation in the French version of The Voice (that would appear to impact her plans for the English album tour). The MZ FB site posted a link to an article about the plans for the judges/coaches on the Voice (http://www.jeanmarcmorandini.com/article-358745-the-voice-sur-tf1-change-tout-garou-ecarte-et-remplace-par-m-pokora-jenifer-renonce-a-la-saison-6-zazie-incertaine.html). Here’s the translation:
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The Voice on TF1 changes everything! Garou discarded and replaced by M Pokora - Jenifer renounces season 6 – Zazie uncertain
TV | The Voice
He is probably the juror of The Voice who is friendliest and most cheerful, yet Garou is about to be dismissed from the program.
According to our colleagues at ‘Voici’ the arrival of M. Pokora instead of Garou would be recorded.
"Considering the involvement of Quebecoise juror in the broadcast too weak, Shine, the company that produces The Voice has not reaffirmed him."
We also know that Jenifer will not be in season 6 and that nothing is done yet about Zazie.
In short, concerning The Voice, we have the impression that change is now!
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None of this means Lara is really in line to be a judge/coach on the show; one gets the feeling that if they were really very interested in her they would have ‘wrapped her up’ quickly considering her always busy schedule. We can speculate that perhaps because she publicly expressed interest they may have taken her availability for granted. We’ll see in the coming weeks how many changes really take place on a show that has maintained a relatively constant pool of judges over the years.
Interesting photo(s) of the week:
From the Lara Fabian Connecting People FB site, of Lara preceding the concert [and at the center of the world
],www.facebook.com/LaraFabianCP/photos/pb.1474601329529967.-2207520000.1473719569./1690152967974801/?type=3&theater
Lara with Krutoi, from the Lara Fabian Brazil site:
www.larafabian.com.br/2016/09/lara-fabian-se-apresenta-no-festival.html
and with Hvorostovsky and Yarovaya from the Lara Fabian est ton autre site,
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1098647483522248/1098647236855606/?type=3&theater
By this time next week Lara will be in Greece. We’ll see if there are any interviews ahead of her concert, and whether there will be reports of guests who could join her. Lara is certainly world-trotting – as she said in an interview last week, traveling is part of her job. Fortunately, she seems to enjoy it.
David
