AMMAN — At the
Fann wa Chai cultural space in Jabal Weibdeh in
Amman, last Tuesday, (July 6), Swedish
singer Kristin Hagegard gave a concert that was a refined illustration of the intrinsic
beauty and the enduring appeal of the human voice. Fashions may come and go, musical
instruments may evolve, and digital technology keeps introducing new recording
techniques; the beauty of the human voice remains.
اضافة اعلان
Accompanied by two Jordanian musicians, Khaled Tawfiq on guitar,
and Adnan Sorekh on keyboard, Hagegard sang in English, in Swedish and in
Portuguese, smoothly and easily moving from one language to the other. The set included
songs from her native country, some belonging to the traditional repertoire and
known there for more than 300 years, and others more recent, introduced in the
1970s.
The singer also interpreted classics like Manha de Carnaval, the exquisite,
moving Brazilian song by Luiz Bonfa and Antonio Maria, and the popular The
Streets of London, written in 1969 by Ralph McTell, and to which the composer
has recently added a verse in the light of the
COVID-19 situation, as explained
to the audience by Hagegard.
The choice of the charming songs was perfect for the warm, cozy,
and intimate setting that complied with the somewhat relaxed but still
prevailing health safety precautions: a limited number of guests was admitted,
and reasonable social distancing was applied.
The songs were all beautiful, soft, quiet pieces that highlighted
the natural beauty and pleasing tone of Hagegard’s voice and were a perfect
match for it. By moments, the delicate, sweet voice conjured up the sound of
another Scandinavian voice, that of the great Norwegian Sissel Kyrkjebo.
Speaking to Jordan News after the concert, Kristin Hagegard explained
than both her parents were opera singers. She also expressed her pleasure at
being in Jordan and performing with local musicians.
The singer, who is an expatriate living in the country, has plans
for more events here. Along with Tawfiq and Sorekh who are part of the
Jordanian group Almas, she performed at the Amman Jazz Festival held last
February.
Seasoned musicians Tawfiq and Sorekh provide a subtle, smart, and
non-invasive instrumental accompaniment that gently enhances the singer’s voice
and, overall, supports the entire performance, always leaving the vocalist in
the spotlight.
The audience’s pleasure was augmented with the pleasant feeling that,
at last, music concerts are back in town, even if held before audiences smaller
than usual.
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