Post by davidhr on Apr 3, 2018 8:11:31 GMT -5
Lara continued her ‘bifurcated’ career this past week, with live shows in Eastern Europe while her pre-recorded contribution to ‘La Voix’ was airing in Quebec. Giving precedence to the live presentations, we start with them.
First up was her concert in Sophia, Bulgaria on March 27th. The " Lara Fabian, Bien Plus Qu'une Passion. "Corse - Réunion"' site posted some photos of Lara’s arrival there, available at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.810118935848951/810118319182346/?type=3&theater
Clearly ‘Spring’ had not yet taken hold, though presents were already ‘blooming’.
The show itself was typical for the Camouflage tour; a number of videos are available, again the ones with asterisks at the end are particularly high quality.
From Sophia:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeNww0nmWS4*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhxPDOMl84A
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2sYbC6nDnI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr7DyVYJ6MU
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ibm2m7QyU0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EusA0wK_zqU*
Communify + I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPHBaQFf0hM*
If You Let Me Love You: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy4hfwrP9To*
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf3abNqc5HI*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYx9DfUrHmM*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNNMwuyZOEg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUy6dMHWL1o
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk4kQXC8PVg*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfQ-bC7P-Sk
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkhl5tsiG-0*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vASs-HuomU0*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIc9PKwggX4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb6NAYHmZiU
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdBf6GH3r9I*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvgTY6l3NlU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPf7CjVgonQ*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLDUasdHGJM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUy6dMHWL1o
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2P6tomzNA*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy9hyU6o2ns*
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW9cfl-L_gA*
Some very nice pictures of the concert are available, at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.810211199173058/810210452506466/?type=3&theater
An article about this concert can be found at (https://btvnovinite.bg/article/bulgaria/lara-fabian-ljubovta-ne-e-duma-a-dejstvie.html); thanks to the Lara Fabian Artist FB site for the link. Below is the (google) translation. There’s also a video of the interview (in Bulgarian) at (https://www.facebook.com/larafabian.artist/videos/1330794650397827/).
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Her music enters the hearts of people, turns into love and stays there forever - the unique Lara Fabian
Lara Fabian visited Bulgaria once again in the framework of her world tour "Camouflage"
She has one of the warmest and deepest voices in the world. She is beautiful, sincere and warm. Lara Fabian visited Bulgaria once again during her World Tour "Camouflage". Minutes after her concert on Tuesday, she met Alexandra Krasteva. A conversation in which the keyword is ... love!
To enter the soul of the people, to settle comfortably and to touch with the music its most hidden corners. This can only be done by Lara Fabian.
- I'm your real fan. One reason is that I have the feeling that you're singing with your eyes. How do you keep this flame in your sight?
LF: "Because of the joy of seeing people's eyes every night. Because of the way I want to get in touch with my audience and communicate my emotion, I give them something sincerely. It's all because of the relationship I have with my audience. It is extremely important to me. I appreciate and understand how important it is to have an audience that have followed me for 30 years. When I look back I say "Oh 30 years!".
The story began in January 1970. Lara was born in the family of Belgian and Sicilian. The girl who at 5 will tell her father that she wants to become a singer. At 10 she starts writing music. At 17 she will release her first album, and a few decades later, her concerts will overflow halls around the world.
- What child was Lara?"
LF: I was sunny. I was a happy child. Extremely loved by my parents. You can not even imagine. I was lucky. We did not have much, but God of God - we had love. Relatives, music, songs ... And if anyone had a problem, we were there, next to him. We are very closely connected family. Of course, I grew up and left my home at 18, I was young, but I went to Canada. And I became all that I could be. That's when I became a Canadian and I am still. The world that gave me my first success was Quebec.
- Your great breakthrough was Eurovision in 1988. What would you say today to the then 18-year-old Lara?
LF: "I'd say to her,"Hold on, Lara, it'll be a long journey, you have to be strong, tight, learn to love paradoxes and go with them." And also, "Be true to yourself, do not change, be honest and remain connected with this honesty." That's what I would tell her. Canada was the country that first embraced me as an artist. But my childhood was the basis for me to continue my journey.
Two years before the breakthrough of Lara Fabian in the Eurovision Song Contest, an Italian writer wrote the song "Caruso". Dozens of performers sing the hit, but one version of the song touches the hearts of thousands.
- One of your most beloved songs is Caruso. Did you believe that it would become so famous?
LF: Caruso was created in the 1980s. Everyone thinks this is an aria, but it's a pop song. And many people sing this song. For some reason, my version of the song the audience really liked. Honestly, I did not believe that this song would become such an important part of my life. Like a storm! But my personal relationship with this song is my mother. The way she sang it. The emotions she puts so deeply into the song ... When you express something that comes from your roots, it necessarily affects the audience and you get that reaction.
- What's in the heart of Lara Fabian?
LF: “What's in my heart?" Maybe it's what I do not think is right to share. You can not say everything. Even if something terrible happened to you and it's hard to move forward, you have to take the music, use it and leave this difficult moment inside the music. Sometimes it does not happen that night. Tonight for some reason, during my performance of the song "Malade", something happened to me. Such a thing has never happened. For the past 25 years since I was singing this song, it was the first time I literally melted on the stage. Because I'm a human! And because sometimes, even when you want to hide something that needs to be hidden, the music wants to get it out. And sometimes you lose control. So - what is hidden in me is what I want to protect from people. I do not think the artist has to overflow or overload. You have to stay elegant.
- You often see tears in the eyes of your audience. How does that make you feel?
LF: Touched. Connected. Tonight people saw tears in my eyes as well. This honest and real relationship is perhaps the deepest feeling an artist can experience. When I see these tears in the eyes of men, some are so touched by what is happening, then I feel blessed. I am extremely grateful.
There is one point in Lara Fabian's career, which can not leave anyone indifferent. In 2001, during a concert in Paris, surprising for her, several thousand people began singing her song "Je t'aime" in one voice .
- What was in your soul at this concert?
LF: It was one of those moments where the song was bigger than me. The emotion is bigger than me, bigger than what I'm capable of controlling. I waited a bit before the song started ... the audience knew me very well, felt me and knew something was wrong. And to help me, they started singing the song themselves - for me. I will never forget that moment. This is one of the most amazing moments in my career and my life as a human being.
Lara Fabian is the most famous Belgian performer in the world. Her vocal range is over 3 octaves. Sings in 10 languages.
- What is the language in which a love song sounds the best?
LF: Oh, that's a difficult question. Love is language. You can not have preferences when you talk about love. You have to adapt to the sound of every language. To develop the mood. It depends on how I feel. Tonight French was enough.
- "Love" is the most important word in your life?
LF: Love is not a word to me, it is action. Love is something you do every day. So, yes - this is the most important thing I do every day. I love my husband, my child, my music, my audience. I love the action, called love, because it makes me a person.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Hard to know what to make about the comment, ‘tonight French was enough’, since this show was obviously primarily in English. Whether Lara mis-spoke; whether the reporter mis-assumed or made a mistake; or whether Lara felt the French songs (particularly Je suis malade) were the ones that bespoke of Love for her].
While there Lara met with participants from “The Voice of Bulgaria”. According to the article at (https://www.24chasa.bg/ojivlenie/article/6786510), she “explained to the young performers what they really need, not only to impress the jury and the viewers, but to reach the finish line and become the winners”. A picture of Lara in the midst of this activity, from the article, can be seen at:
cache2.24chasa.bg/Images/Cache/518/Image_6786518_126.jpg
Then it was on to Cluj-Napoca for the concert of the 29th. Again there are numerous videos, of varying quality, the highest quality often from Lara Fabian Romania.
From Cluj-Napoca:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBE-u2A1-6A
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sb53Adsr8w
Chameleon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSCenERkJ0M*
www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117441265062226/*
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=98M65NyUccU
Communify + I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=68xWgFMOy7U
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PA8ELPCTtw*
www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117445248395161/*
(inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3mIhWJVJDg
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhIE3bH-vCo*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxnQ3idwF3E
If I Let You Love Me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJ0UXX24A8*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcccLjPiUkk
J’ai zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Yl8NcLqLc
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB9ombHgFsk*
www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117447668394919/*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lflYI4NfAPk
Je t’aime: www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117440391728980/*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhuFPPDdpA0*
Je zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr7DyVYJ6MU*
Keep the Animals Away: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxGCK7jSfjM*
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAUgO4k1oIQ*
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K01KvEdepXQ*
We Are the Storm: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVprHvCurT0*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A short news clip video is also available of this ‘memorable concert’, at www.facebook.com/larafabian.artist/videos/1329457940531498/
An article about the show appeared in (http://clujescu.ro/2018/03/30/lara-fabian-la-cluj-napoca/); here’s the (google) translation:
---------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian, on the stage of Polivalenta Hall in Cluj-Napoca
Lara Fabian concert on Thursday, March 29, 2018, on the stage of Polivalenta Hall in Cluj-Napoca. The show last night, which was attended by about 5,000 spectators, is part of the promotion tour of the new album "Camouflage".
The strong voice and unique stamp of the Belgian artist were appreciated by the public and repeatedly applauded. The fans of Lara Fabian have done their best to make her feel appreciated by whistles and claps as well, by interpreting pieces where the talent and technique of the artist have been felt to the fullest.
The songs on the new album "Camoulflage" were woven with some older ones. Singing the songs that made her famous, it was full of force and excitement. If "Je t'aime" and "Je suis malade" could be heard during the concert, "Adagio" came as the encore. This was also the culmination of the whole show. The artist's voice touches impressive notes and tones that cause emotion and highlight her talent and sensitivity.
The concert has become increasingly rhythmic. At the end, after much intensity, the atmosphere was more relaxed and Lara Fabian showed she knew and provoked the dance of dance, not just the inner feelings.
Besides quality music, the artist talked about some details of the songs or about what she feels about some aspects of life. "Perfection - what a terrible word. Perfection simply does not exist. I have come to the conclusion that perfection is boring", Lara Fabian, from the Polivalenta Hall stage, told the audience.
Even if Lara Fabian's perfection is boring, for those present in the showroom and who have heard her live voice, perfection exists and is not at all boring. The sound was flawless and the instrumentalists accompanying it were at a height.
Lara started "Camouflage World Tour" on February 2, 2018, in the United States. In total, she will hold 40 concerts, two of which in Romania, and the last one will be in Paris (Zenith) in June.
If we were to characterize the show in one word, it would be: force, full of emotion.
--------------------------------------------------------
[As we know the last one will not be in June, but apparently the promotional material has not been updated].
Another article appeared at (http://eclujeanul.ro/lara-fabian-si-a-lansat-noul-album-camouflage-in-fata-a-5000-de-clujeni-la-sala-polivalenta-foto-video/); again, the (google) translation:
------------------------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian Launches New Album, "Camouflage", in front of 5,000 Cluj, Polivalent Chamber - PHOTO / VIDEO
One of the most appreciated and beloved voices in the international music industry, with millions of fans around the world, Lara Fabian, also included Cluj-Napoca on the list of cities in her international tour of promoting the new album "Camouflage". In front of about 5000 Cluj, she held a dream concert on Saturday evening, March 29, full of excitement and was received with great warmth and applause by the public of Cluj.
The artist of Belgian origin and her band went on stage at 20:20 and the concert stretched over an hour and a half, ending around 22:15.
Lara also performed songs from the new album "Camouflage," but she did not miss her repertoire and the famous song Je t'aime became a true symbol of love and love for millions of people, one of the most sensitive songs. The singer presented her band that accompanies her in this world tour before interpreting this song.
Organizing of the concert was not the best, missing the big screens on the left and right of the stage, and the audience behind the hall found it hard to see the artist.
Each spectator received a special card with a code on the ticket, which he can use to download the new album "Camouflage" free of charge.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The article also contains numerous wonderful pictures.
With her far-flung appearances, Lara can’t always expect the organizers will be ‘perfect’ (which she apparently would find ‘boring’ anyway , though the fans would probably prefer it).
And an especially passionate review, at (http://www.salajulpursisimplu.ro/concert-lara-fabian-la-cluj-napoca-o-superba-declaratie-de-dragoste-pe-portativ/), via ‘google’ translation:
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Concert Lara Fabian in Cluj-Napoca, a wonderful portable love statement
One of Lara Fabian's favorite songs, as she said on the Cluj stage, is "Pas sans toi", a song she composed when she was 21 years old. And of all the songs composed, "Pas sans toi" may be the closest to her soul. And that's because, like the artist, this song is, from beginning to end (though for this genre of songs there is no end) just love. All. Love. And for you, the one in public, this love affirmation is one you can not resist. And then, if it's music, you can tell Lara Fabian, frankly: "Pas sans toi". And this is because in this world where applications are increasingly taking the place of true music, among the hundreds of singers who appear naked on the stage, showing their muscles, with all sorts of dancers filling the scene, who are just going to make a sensation, among DJs, "stars" and computer sounds - that have nothing to do with music - that kind of musicians who manage to put their soul in their compositions are the ones who make music the art. The rest is a bad taste, but very profitable from a commercial point of view.
Lara Fabian's music is so much that nothing else matters, much more when you're in public and listening to it singing close to you (even if the seat 2C13 is not close to the stage) and her music is intertwined with the message, her gorgeous voice and the heat it emanates. And "Pas sans toi" turns into a statement of love for you, the audience even if the musical piece has been written for a particular person. And the sounds of music stay there long after the music stopped. After all, this love affirmation, when it is transmitted by music, is not just for one person, it is not even addressed to a man, but (or at least it feels like listening to Lara Fabian) is for all the beautiful moments of your life. And how could you want to live without being beautiful?
The members of the band accompanying Lara Fabian (for a regular rock guitarist, the lack of a guitarist is the first thing I noticed) are certainly very good instrumentalists, but what makes the music sound so good is the artist's voice, an extraordinary reverberation of the artist, which transcends space and time into a world where music makes sense to that called soul. And when she starts singing ...
The Camouflage album, promoted by her tour that has arrived in Cluj-Napoca, is undoubtedly a valuable piece with very good sounds, the vocal inflections being so well placed on the notes that each song is a story. And maybe this is, apart from the extraordinary voice, what makes Lara Fabian to be on top of the music, the story of every song. And, of course, the simple, direct way through which the artist sends the message of each musical piece to the public, without "all kinds of fireworks", but by its very exceptional interpretation. However, from the list of tracks on the album, those that have "scored" best when it comes to creating a bridge between the artist and the public are the songs whose emotional load is special: Broken Vow - a song simple, gorgeous, probably the best song on the album [sic]; Choose What You Love It (Let It Kill You) - with an elaborate melodic line, even if it looks simple; We Are the Storm - a message about humanity, about the fact that we humans are our own salvation; Perfect - "I think the only way you can be perfect is to be in love"; Painting in the Rain.
The culmination of the concert was, however, the old pieces, already established, whose musical value remains over time: Je Suis Malade, Je t'aime - the song best received by the audience and which is a superb portable love statement - and the exceptional music that put Lara Fabian (and it can be said forever) in the realm of the real music - Adagio, the song of encore, which ended the concert in Cluj-Napoca.
A gorgeous concert that best translates through Adagio's lyrics, which Lara Fabian's musicians can also dedicate to the artist: I hear your voice in the wind, I feel you under my skin , Within my heart and my soul ...
----------------------------------------------
Finally, it was on to Bucharest for the show on the 31st. A very sweet video of her arrival, and being greeted by fans with presents and pictures can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianromania/videos/1740893959266927/
A big sign said (in French), “Each time you return you make us humane! We love you forever.“ If Lara ever has moments of doubt as to why she travels all over to give these concerts, it is moments like this that one would imagine make it perfectly clear. Various pictures of Lara with fans can be found at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianitalia/photos/pcb.2073036022711999/2073035786045356/?type=3&theater
Again some videos of differing quality are available, and more may be forthcoming eventually.
From Bucharest:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxuuMXHbZmY*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTTcFFzeQzo*
If I Let You Love Me (inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbjq1XhMWGg
Je suis malade: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4-NvmKPIz4* + www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUffAMTRS98*]
We Are the Flyers: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXGVBXFAXOA + www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbjq1XhMWGg]*
We Are the Storm: www.facebook.com/larafabianromania/videos/1741052939251029/*
As for the other big story,, the last night of ‘duels’ on La Voix. Lara had to cut down to 8 team members, and there were two competitions she had to decide. In one of the duels, Krystel and Leah sang, visible at:
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/duel-de-krystel-et-leah-la-voix-6
Inconceivably (to me) Lara chose Leah, who was IMHO quite the inferior singer to Krystel. Krystel sounds like she is already a professional country singer, and Lara herself at the end said she is ‘ready’. In contrast, with respect to Leah, Lara said she is unique, and fragile. Many of the previous decisions were debatable, but this was, again in my opinion, an injustice! Since the video is here for all to see, please feel free to give your opinion in the ‘Comments’ or reply section to this Update.
Despite this show being called “La Voix” (The Voice), it seems that often the ‘more atmospheric’ presentation is chosen over the singer with the better voice. We saw that several times last week as well. Ironically, Lara seems particularly prone to this.
[In the duet of 17 year old Emma vs. 16 year old Maude,
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/duel-de-emma-et-maude-la-voix-6
although these were not on Lara’s team, she, like the other judges gets to offer her opinion, and she chose Maude, again the more ‘soulful’ (less capable) singer. Fortunately, Garou had the good sense to choose Emma. [Afterward, Lara said Emma was an extraordinary singer, but that didn’t seem to be sufficient for her…].
In the other duel, Lara chose Jean-Alexandre Boisclair over Yann Brassard. Here she made the right choice as Jean-Alexandre has a much fuller voice and Lara indicated how impressed she was with him. One suspects he could go far in this contest.
Yann was a very good sport in losing, and as he was leaving, both Eric and Alex hit their buttons to pick him up. This made everybody happy, none more so than Lara, who went and kissed both of them. He chose Alex.
Lara celebrated the winners with pictures, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1991807564194064/1991803830861104/?type=3&theater
and
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1991807564194064/1991803820861105/?type=3&theater
accompanied by the (translated) caption, “Wonderful evening that ends at La Voix! So happy and excited to continue the adventure with La Voix-Jean-Alexandre Boisclair & Leah West. Thank you for those beautiful shares, Sunday after Sunday.”
One other ‘La Voix’ (though not Lara) related note: TVA announced that Paul McCartney was ‘touched’ by the performance of ‘Let It Be’. Here’s the translation of the article (http://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/03/31/paul-mccartney-touche-par-la-voix):
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Paul McCartney touched by "The Voice"
After hearing the performance of Yama Laurent and Kelly Bado on the song "Let It Be", in the duels of "The Voice" presented last Sunday, Paul McCartney was impressed by the talent of the two singers.
Through his communication team, the author and composer of this Beatles classic sent a message to the production.
[Yama and Kelly deliver the most moving performance in the history of "The Voice"]
"Wow !! What a fabulous, moving and inspiring interpretation of my song! Congratulations girls! You brought down the house beautifully! Thank you very much!" wrote Paul McCartney in an email.
Witnessing the public's emotion during the broadcast of the show, the production decided to send the extract of the song to its creator. The manager of Sir Paul McCartney immediately thanked the production, while stating that there was little chance of a return of the star.
--------------------------------------------------------------
And in other, related TV production news: Jean-Phillippe Dion provided the information (https://www.facebook.com/JeanPhilippeDionOfficiel/photos/a.174183859400034.1073741826.116975948454159/1109424179209326/?type=3&ifg=1) that TVA is starting up a new program called “Tout Le Monde Aime”, a “musical rendezvous with the great figures of song”. It’s being developed by ‘Productions Deferlantes” (who are behind both La Voix and La vraie nature), in collaboration with Quebecor. it will have as host Sonia Benezra (whom you may remember was the host for Lara’s first TV appearances in Quebec, some 25 years ago). They indicate that she has conducted more than 10,000 interviews in her career! During this coming season, the show will have some of the top singers, and Lara’s name is mentioned first, before Roch Voisine, Eric Lapoint, etc. Lara has re-integrated herself into the Quebec musical culture with amazing speed, and TVA is only happy to help her do it.
Finally, Lara’s management has reiterated that her new French language album is still predicted for ‘the fall’, ‘as of today’. That doesn’t mean it won’t be delayed as the time approaches – in fact, it invariably is, regardless of the circumstances – but it raises the question of where it is to be produced. Given what appears to be Lara’s continuing and even growing commitments in Quebec, it makes sense to speculate that it is there where the album will be written and recorded. This could easily be wrong, but if it’s true, it will be the first time that has happened in 15 years, and another sign of Lara’s relocation.
The latest top ‘iTunes’ listings for Lara's songs are all informative and understandable: “We Are the Flyers”, #34 in Romania; “Je me souviens”, #100 in Canada; and “Je t’aime”, number #27 in Mongolia. Those three encapsulate the state of Lara’s career, currently.
Interesting photo(s) of the week: from the Lara Fabian Romania site, of Lara giving a welcome to winners of the concert contest for her two shows in Romania, available at
www.facebook.com/larafabianromania/photos/a.150846921604980.22470.127093573980315/1736386329717690/?type=3&theater
Lara in her hotel in Cluj-Napoca, from the Lara Fabian Italy site,
www.facebook.com/larafabianitalia/photos/a.1871128812902722.1073741908.164644456884508/2073034469378821/?type=3&theater
And Lara with the band from one of the articles quoted above, on stage at Cluj-Napoca,
eclujeanul.ro/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC06174-1132x509.jpg
Lara is now off until her next concert on April 8th in Hungary. Last week we raised the issue of what she would do in this intervening week, as going home to Quebec and then back to eastern Europe would seem like a very inefficient approach. However, she could go back to Belgium and see her parents. Whatever is the case, the next edition of La Voix involves the ‘battle songs’ of three of the singers on her team, with one victor. This will be the last of the pre-recorded shows, so it probably won’t require Lara’s presence in the country.
Lara has to be happy with both aspects of her career, the resounding reception she’s been getting with these concerts, and the joy she seems to show on La Voix. It appears to be a very good time for her.
David
First up was her concert in Sophia, Bulgaria on March 27th. The " Lara Fabian, Bien Plus Qu'une Passion. "Corse - Réunion"' site posted some photos of Lara’s arrival there, available at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.810118935848951/810118319182346/?type=3&theater
Clearly ‘Spring’ had not yet taken hold, though presents were already ‘blooming’.
The show itself was typical for the Camouflage tour; a number of videos are available, again the ones with asterisks at the end are particularly high quality.
From Sophia:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeNww0nmWS4*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhxPDOMl84A
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2sYbC6nDnI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr7DyVYJ6MU
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ibm2m7QyU0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EusA0wK_zqU*
Communify + I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPHBaQFf0hM*
If You Let Me Love You: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy4hfwrP9To*
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf3abNqc5HI*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYx9DfUrHmM*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNNMwuyZOEg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUy6dMHWL1o
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk4kQXC8PVg*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfQ-bC7P-Sk
Je t’aime: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkhl5tsiG-0*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vASs-HuomU0*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIc9PKwggX4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb6NAYHmZiU
Pas sans toi: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdBf6GH3r9I*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvgTY6l3NlU*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPf7CjVgonQ*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLDUasdHGJM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUy6dMHWL1o
Perfect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2P6tomzNA*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy9hyU6o2ns*
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW9cfl-L_gA*
Some very nice pictures of the concert are available, at:
www.facebook.com/LaraFabianBienPlusQuunePassionCorseReunion/photos/pcb.810211199173058/810210452506466/?type=3&theater
An article about this concert can be found at (https://btvnovinite.bg/article/bulgaria/lara-fabian-ljubovta-ne-e-duma-a-dejstvie.html); thanks to the Lara Fabian Artist FB site for the link. Below is the (google) translation. There’s also a video of the interview (in Bulgarian) at (https://www.facebook.com/larafabian.artist/videos/1330794650397827/).
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Her music enters the hearts of people, turns into love and stays there forever - the unique Lara Fabian
Lara Fabian visited Bulgaria once again in the framework of her world tour "Camouflage"
She has one of the warmest and deepest voices in the world. She is beautiful, sincere and warm. Lara Fabian visited Bulgaria once again during her World Tour "Camouflage". Minutes after her concert on Tuesday, she met Alexandra Krasteva. A conversation in which the keyword is ... love!
To enter the soul of the people, to settle comfortably and to touch with the music its most hidden corners. This can only be done by Lara Fabian.
- I'm your real fan. One reason is that I have the feeling that you're singing with your eyes. How do you keep this flame in your sight?
LF: "Because of the joy of seeing people's eyes every night. Because of the way I want to get in touch with my audience and communicate my emotion, I give them something sincerely. It's all because of the relationship I have with my audience. It is extremely important to me. I appreciate and understand how important it is to have an audience that have followed me for 30 years. When I look back I say "Oh 30 years!".
The story began in January 1970. Lara was born in the family of Belgian and Sicilian. The girl who at 5 will tell her father that she wants to become a singer. At 10 she starts writing music. At 17 she will release her first album, and a few decades later, her concerts will overflow halls around the world.
- What child was Lara?"
LF: I was sunny. I was a happy child. Extremely loved by my parents. You can not even imagine. I was lucky. We did not have much, but God of God - we had love. Relatives, music, songs ... And if anyone had a problem, we were there, next to him. We are very closely connected family. Of course, I grew up and left my home at 18, I was young, but I went to Canada. And I became all that I could be. That's when I became a Canadian and I am still. The world that gave me my first success was Quebec.
- Your great breakthrough was Eurovision in 1988. What would you say today to the then 18-year-old Lara?
LF: "I'd say to her,"Hold on, Lara, it'll be a long journey, you have to be strong, tight, learn to love paradoxes and go with them." And also, "Be true to yourself, do not change, be honest and remain connected with this honesty." That's what I would tell her. Canada was the country that first embraced me as an artist. But my childhood was the basis for me to continue my journey.
Two years before the breakthrough of Lara Fabian in the Eurovision Song Contest, an Italian writer wrote the song "Caruso". Dozens of performers sing the hit, but one version of the song touches the hearts of thousands.
- One of your most beloved songs is Caruso. Did you believe that it would become so famous?
LF: Caruso was created in the 1980s. Everyone thinks this is an aria, but it's a pop song. And many people sing this song. For some reason, my version of the song the audience really liked. Honestly, I did not believe that this song would become such an important part of my life. Like a storm! But my personal relationship with this song is my mother. The way she sang it. The emotions she puts so deeply into the song ... When you express something that comes from your roots, it necessarily affects the audience and you get that reaction.
- What's in the heart of Lara Fabian?
LF: “What's in my heart?" Maybe it's what I do not think is right to share. You can not say everything. Even if something terrible happened to you and it's hard to move forward, you have to take the music, use it and leave this difficult moment inside the music. Sometimes it does not happen that night. Tonight for some reason, during my performance of the song "Malade", something happened to me. Such a thing has never happened. For the past 25 years since I was singing this song, it was the first time I literally melted on the stage. Because I'm a human! And because sometimes, even when you want to hide something that needs to be hidden, the music wants to get it out. And sometimes you lose control. So - what is hidden in me is what I want to protect from people. I do not think the artist has to overflow or overload. You have to stay elegant.
- You often see tears in the eyes of your audience. How does that make you feel?
LF: Touched. Connected. Tonight people saw tears in my eyes as well. This honest and real relationship is perhaps the deepest feeling an artist can experience. When I see these tears in the eyes of men, some are so touched by what is happening, then I feel blessed. I am extremely grateful.
There is one point in Lara Fabian's career, which can not leave anyone indifferent. In 2001, during a concert in Paris, surprising for her, several thousand people began singing her song "Je t'aime" in one voice .
- What was in your soul at this concert?
LF: It was one of those moments where the song was bigger than me. The emotion is bigger than me, bigger than what I'm capable of controlling. I waited a bit before the song started ... the audience knew me very well, felt me and knew something was wrong. And to help me, they started singing the song themselves - for me. I will never forget that moment. This is one of the most amazing moments in my career and my life as a human being.
Lara Fabian is the most famous Belgian performer in the world. Her vocal range is over 3 octaves. Sings in 10 languages.
- What is the language in which a love song sounds the best?
LF: Oh, that's a difficult question. Love is language. You can not have preferences when you talk about love. You have to adapt to the sound of every language. To develop the mood. It depends on how I feel. Tonight French was enough.
- "Love" is the most important word in your life?
LF: Love is not a word to me, it is action. Love is something you do every day. So, yes - this is the most important thing I do every day. I love my husband, my child, my music, my audience. I love the action, called love, because it makes me a person.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Hard to know what to make about the comment, ‘tonight French was enough’, since this show was obviously primarily in English. Whether Lara mis-spoke; whether the reporter mis-assumed or made a mistake; or whether Lara felt the French songs (particularly Je suis malade) were the ones that bespoke of Love for her].
While there Lara met with participants from “The Voice of Bulgaria”. According to the article at (https://www.24chasa.bg/ojivlenie/article/6786510), she “explained to the young performers what they really need, not only to impress the jury and the viewers, but to reach the finish line and become the winners”. A picture of Lara in the midst of this activity, from the article, can be seen at:
cache2.24chasa.bg/Images/Cache/518/Image_6786518_126.jpg
Then it was on to Cluj-Napoca for the concert of the 29th. Again there are numerous videos, of varying quality, the highest quality often from Lara Fabian Romania.
From Cluj-Napoca:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBE-u2A1-6A
Broken Vow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sb53Adsr8w
Chameleon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSCenERkJ0M*
www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117441265062226/*
Choose What You Love Most: www.youtube.com/watch?v=98M65NyUccU
Communify + I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=68xWgFMOy7U
Growing Wings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PA8ELPCTtw*
www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117445248395161/*
(inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3mIhWJVJDg
Humana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhIE3bH-vCo*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxnQ3idwF3E
If I Let You Love Me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJ0UXX24A8*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcccLjPiUkk
J’ai zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Yl8NcLqLc
Je suis malade: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB9ombHgFsk*
www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117447668394919/*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lflYI4NfAPk
Je t’aime: www.facebook.com/eclujeanul/videos/1117440391728980/*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhuFPPDdpA0*
Je zappe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr7DyVYJ6MU*
Keep the Animals Away: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxGCK7jSfjM*
Painting in the Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAUgO4k1oIQ*
We Are the Flyers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K01KvEdepXQ*
We Are the Storm: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVprHvCurT0*
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A short news clip video is also available of this ‘memorable concert’, at www.facebook.com/larafabian.artist/videos/1329457940531498/
An article about the show appeared in (http://clujescu.ro/2018/03/30/lara-fabian-la-cluj-napoca/); here’s the (google) translation:
---------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian, on the stage of Polivalenta Hall in Cluj-Napoca
Lara Fabian concert on Thursday, March 29, 2018, on the stage of Polivalenta Hall in Cluj-Napoca. The show last night, which was attended by about 5,000 spectators, is part of the promotion tour of the new album "Camouflage".
The strong voice and unique stamp of the Belgian artist were appreciated by the public and repeatedly applauded. The fans of Lara Fabian have done their best to make her feel appreciated by whistles and claps as well, by interpreting pieces where the talent and technique of the artist have been felt to the fullest.
The songs on the new album "Camoulflage" were woven with some older ones. Singing the songs that made her famous, it was full of force and excitement. If "Je t'aime" and "Je suis malade" could be heard during the concert, "Adagio" came as the encore. This was also the culmination of the whole show. The artist's voice touches impressive notes and tones that cause emotion and highlight her talent and sensitivity.
The concert has become increasingly rhythmic. At the end, after much intensity, the atmosphere was more relaxed and Lara Fabian showed she knew and provoked the dance of dance, not just the inner feelings.
Besides quality music, the artist talked about some details of the songs or about what she feels about some aspects of life. "Perfection - what a terrible word. Perfection simply does not exist. I have come to the conclusion that perfection is boring", Lara Fabian, from the Polivalenta Hall stage, told the audience.
Even if Lara Fabian's perfection is boring, for those present in the showroom and who have heard her live voice, perfection exists and is not at all boring. The sound was flawless and the instrumentalists accompanying it were at a height.
Lara started "Camouflage World Tour" on February 2, 2018, in the United States. In total, she will hold 40 concerts, two of which in Romania, and the last one will be in Paris (Zenith) in June.
If we were to characterize the show in one word, it would be: force, full of emotion.
--------------------------------------------------------
[As we know the last one will not be in June, but apparently the promotional material has not been updated].
Another article appeared at (http://eclujeanul.ro/lara-fabian-si-a-lansat-noul-album-camouflage-in-fata-a-5000-de-clujeni-la-sala-polivalenta-foto-video/); again, the (google) translation:
------------------------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian Launches New Album, "Camouflage", in front of 5,000 Cluj, Polivalent Chamber - PHOTO / VIDEO
One of the most appreciated and beloved voices in the international music industry, with millions of fans around the world, Lara Fabian, also included Cluj-Napoca on the list of cities in her international tour of promoting the new album "Camouflage". In front of about 5000 Cluj, she held a dream concert on Saturday evening, March 29, full of excitement and was received with great warmth and applause by the public of Cluj.
The artist of Belgian origin and her band went on stage at 20:20 and the concert stretched over an hour and a half, ending around 22:15.
Lara also performed songs from the new album "Camouflage," but she did not miss her repertoire and the famous song Je t'aime became a true symbol of love and love for millions of people, one of the most sensitive songs. The singer presented her band that accompanies her in this world tour before interpreting this song.
Organizing of the concert was not the best, missing the big screens on the left and right of the stage, and the audience behind the hall found it hard to see the artist.
Each spectator received a special card with a code on the ticket, which he can use to download the new album "Camouflage" free of charge.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The article also contains numerous wonderful pictures.
With her far-flung appearances, Lara can’t always expect the organizers will be ‘perfect’ (which she apparently would find ‘boring’ anyway
, though the fans would probably prefer it). And an especially passionate review, at (http://www.salajulpursisimplu.ro/concert-lara-fabian-la-cluj-napoca-o-superba-declaratie-de-dragoste-pe-portativ/), via ‘google’ translation:
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Concert Lara Fabian in Cluj-Napoca, a wonderful portable love statement
One of Lara Fabian's favorite songs, as she said on the Cluj stage, is "Pas sans toi", a song she composed when she was 21 years old. And of all the songs composed, "Pas sans toi" may be the closest to her soul. And that's because, like the artist, this song is, from beginning to end (though for this genre of songs there is no end) just love. All. Love. And for you, the one in public, this love affirmation is one you can not resist. And then, if it's music, you can tell Lara Fabian, frankly: "Pas sans toi". And this is because in this world where applications are increasingly taking the place of true music, among the hundreds of singers who appear naked on the stage, showing their muscles, with all sorts of dancers filling the scene, who are just going to make a sensation, among DJs, "stars" and computer sounds - that have nothing to do with music - that kind of musicians who manage to put their soul in their compositions are the ones who make music the art. The rest is a bad taste, but very profitable from a commercial point of view.
Lara Fabian's music is so much that nothing else matters, much more when you're in public and listening to it singing close to you (even if the seat 2C13 is not close to the stage) and her music is intertwined with the message, her gorgeous voice and the heat it emanates. And "Pas sans toi" turns into a statement of love for you, the audience even if the musical piece has been written for a particular person. And the sounds of music stay there long after the music stopped. After all, this love affirmation, when it is transmitted by music, is not just for one person, it is not even addressed to a man, but (or at least it feels like listening to Lara Fabian) is for all the beautiful moments of your life. And how could you want to live without being beautiful?
The members of the band accompanying Lara Fabian (for a regular rock guitarist, the lack of a guitarist is the first thing I noticed) are certainly very good instrumentalists, but what makes the music sound so good is the artist's voice, an extraordinary reverberation of the artist, which transcends space and time into a world where music makes sense to that called soul. And when she starts singing ...
The Camouflage album, promoted by her tour that has arrived in Cluj-Napoca, is undoubtedly a valuable piece with very good sounds, the vocal inflections being so well placed on the notes that each song is a story. And maybe this is, apart from the extraordinary voice, what makes Lara Fabian to be on top of the music, the story of every song. And, of course, the simple, direct way through which the artist sends the message of each musical piece to the public, without "all kinds of fireworks", but by its very exceptional interpretation. However, from the list of tracks on the album, those that have "scored" best when it comes to creating a bridge between the artist and the public are the songs whose emotional load is special: Broken Vow - a song simple, gorgeous, probably the best song on the album [sic]; Choose What You Love It (Let It Kill You) - with an elaborate melodic line, even if it looks simple; We Are the Storm - a message about humanity, about the fact that we humans are our own salvation; Perfect - "I think the only way you can be perfect is to be in love"; Painting in the Rain.
The culmination of the concert was, however, the old pieces, already established, whose musical value remains over time: Je Suis Malade, Je t'aime - the song best received by the audience and which is a superb portable love statement - and the exceptional music that put Lara Fabian (and it can be said forever) in the realm of the real music - Adagio, the song of encore, which ended the concert in Cluj-Napoca.
A gorgeous concert that best translates through Adagio's lyrics, which Lara Fabian's musicians can also dedicate to the artist: I hear your voice in the wind, I feel you under my skin , Within my heart and my soul ...
----------------------------------------------
Finally, it was on to Bucharest for the show on the 31st. A very sweet video of her arrival, and being greeted by fans with presents and pictures can be seen at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianromania/videos/1740893959266927/
A big sign said (in French), “Each time you return you make us humane! We love you forever.“ If Lara ever has moments of doubt as to why she travels all over to give these concerts, it is moments like this that one would imagine make it perfectly clear. Various pictures of Lara with fans can be found at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianitalia/photos/pcb.2073036022711999/2073035786045356/?type=3&theater
Again some videos of differing quality are available, and more may be forthcoming eventually.
From Bucharest:
Adagio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxuuMXHbZmY*
I Will Love Again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTTcFFzeQzo*
If I Let You Love Me (inc): www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbjq1XhMWGg
Je suis malade: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4-NvmKPIz4* + www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUffAMTRS98*]
We Are the Flyers: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXGVBXFAXOA + www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbjq1XhMWGg]*
We Are the Storm: www.facebook.com/larafabianromania/videos/1741052939251029/*
As for the other big story,, the last night of ‘duels’ on La Voix. Lara had to cut down to 8 team members, and there were two competitions she had to decide. In one of the duels, Krystel and Leah sang, visible at:
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/duel-de-krystel-et-leah-la-voix-6
Inconceivably (to me) Lara chose Leah, who was IMHO quite the inferior singer to Krystel. Krystel sounds like she is already a professional country singer, and Lara herself at the end said she is ‘ready’. In contrast, with respect to Leah, Lara said she is unique, and fragile. Many of the previous decisions were debatable, but this was, again in my opinion, an injustice!
Since the video is here for all to see, please feel free to give your opinion in the ‘Comments’ or reply section to this Update. Despite this show being called “La Voix” (The Voice), it seems that often the ‘more atmospheric’ presentation is chosen over the singer with the better voice. We saw that several times last week as well. Ironically, Lara seems particularly prone to this.
[In the duet of 17 year old Emma vs. 16 year old Maude,
tva.canoe.ca/emissions/lavoix/videos/duel-de-emma-et-maude-la-voix-6
although these were not on Lara’s team, she, like the other judges gets to offer her opinion, and she chose Maude, again the more ‘soulful’ (less capable) singer. Fortunately, Garou had the good sense to choose Emma.
[Afterward, Lara said Emma was an extraordinary singer, but that didn’t seem to be sufficient for her…].In the other duel, Lara chose Jean-Alexandre Boisclair over Yann Brassard. Here she made the right choice
as Jean-Alexandre has a much fuller voice and Lara indicated how impressed she was with him. One suspects he could go far in this contest.Yann was a very good sport in losing, and as he was leaving, both Eric and Alex hit their buttons to pick him up. This made everybody happy, none more so than Lara, who went and kissed both of them. He chose Alex.
Lara celebrated the winners with pictures, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1991807564194064/1991803830861104/?type=3&theater
and
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1991807564194064/1991803820861105/?type=3&theater
accompanied by the (translated) caption, “Wonderful evening that ends at La Voix! So happy and excited to continue the adventure with La Voix-Jean-Alexandre Boisclair & Leah West. Thank you for those beautiful shares, Sunday after Sunday.”
One other ‘La Voix’ (though not Lara) related note: TVA announced that Paul McCartney was ‘touched’ by the performance of ‘Let It Be’. Here’s the translation of the article (http://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/03/31/paul-mccartney-touche-par-la-voix):
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Paul McCartney touched by "The Voice"
After hearing the performance of Yama Laurent and Kelly Bado on the song "Let It Be", in the duels of "The Voice" presented last Sunday, Paul McCartney was impressed by the talent of the two singers.
Through his communication team, the author and composer of this Beatles classic sent a message to the production.
[Yama and Kelly deliver the most moving performance in the history of "The Voice"]
"Wow !! What a fabulous, moving and inspiring interpretation of my song! Congratulations girls! You brought down the house beautifully! Thank you very much!" wrote Paul McCartney in an email.
Witnessing the public's emotion during the broadcast of the show, the production decided to send the extract of the song to its creator. The manager of Sir Paul McCartney immediately thanked the production, while stating that there was little chance of a return of the star.
--------------------------------------------------------------
And in other, related TV production news: Jean-Phillippe Dion provided the information (https://www.facebook.com/JeanPhilippeDionOfficiel/photos/a.174183859400034.1073741826.116975948454159/1109424179209326/?type=3&ifg=1) that TVA is starting up a new program called “Tout Le Monde Aime”, a “musical rendezvous with the great figures of song”. It’s being developed by ‘Productions Deferlantes” (who are behind both La Voix and La vraie nature), in collaboration with Quebecor. it will have as host Sonia Benezra (whom you may remember was the host for Lara’s first TV appearances in Quebec, some 25 years ago). They indicate that she has conducted more than 10,000 interviews in her career! During this coming season, the show will have some of the top singers, and Lara’s name is mentioned first, before Roch Voisine, Eric Lapoint, etc. Lara has re-integrated herself into the Quebec musical culture with amazing speed, and TVA is only happy to help her do it.
Finally, Lara’s management has reiterated that her new French language album is still predicted for ‘the fall’, ‘as of today’. That doesn’t mean it won’t be delayed as the time approaches – in fact, it invariably is, regardless of the circumstances – but it raises the question of where it is to be produced. Given what appears to be Lara’s continuing and even growing commitments in Quebec, it makes sense to speculate that it is there where the album will be written and recorded. This could easily be wrong, but if it’s true, it will be the first time that has happened in 15 years, and another sign of Lara’s relocation.
The latest top ‘iTunes’ listings for Lara's songs are all informative and understandable: “We Are the Flyers”, #34 in Romania; “Je me souviens”, #100 in Canada; and “Je t’aime”, number #27 in Mongolia. Those three encapsulate the state of Lara’s career, currently.
Interesting photo(s) of the week: from the Lara Fabian Romania site, of Lara giving a welcome to winners of the concert contest for her two shows in Romania, available at
www.facebook.com/larafabianromania/photos/a.150846921604980.22470.127093573980315/1736386329717690/?type=3&theater
Lara in her hotel in Cluj-Napoca, from the Lara Fabian Italy site,
www.facebook.com/larafabianitalia/photos/a.1871128812902722.1073741908.164644456884508/2073034469378821/?type=3&theater
And Lara with the band from one of the articles quoted above, on stage at Cluj-Napoca,
eclujeanul.ro/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC06174-1132x509.jpg
Lara is now off until her next concert on April 8th in Hungary. Last week we raised the issue of what she would do in this intervening week, as going home to Quebec and then back to eastern Europe would seem like a very inefficient approach. However, she could go back to Belgium and see her parents. Whatever is the case, the next edition of La Voix involves the ‘battle songs’ of three of the singers on her team, with one victor. This will be the last of the pre-recorded shows, so it probably won’t require Lara’s presence in the country.
Lara has to be happy with both aspects of her career, the resounding reception she’s been getting with these concerts, and the joy she seems to show on La Voix. It appears to be a very good time for her.
David
