Roberto Alagna

Roberto Alagna

CONCERT - C EST MAGNIFIQUE - FORUM DE LIEGE

Programm

 

The programme included arias by Luis Mariano
as well as well-known Italian songs

 

 

Performance

 

Forum de Liège

30th of october 2024

 

 

 

Cast

 

Roberto Alagna - Tenor

Chorale Anima

Le Golden Pick Orchestra

 

Direction musicale - José Pick 

 

 

 

Press Review

 

Sudinfo - 30th of october 2024 - Emile Destiné

Roberto Alagna sets the Forum de Liège alight to celebrate 40 years in the music business! The famous tenor Roberto Alagna conquered the Forum audience with ‘C'est Magnifique’, a vibrant tribute to French and Neapolitan chanson, accompanied by José Pick's orchestra, and Frederic François as a surprise guest, for an unforgettable evening of voice and emotion. The varied repertoire made for an exceptional concert, rich in emotion and a veritable firework display of vocals and music.
 
"Roberto Alagna triumphs at the Forum! The world-famous French-Italian tenor, who is celebrating 40 years in the business, came to the Forum for the first time, invited by maestro José Pick. Well supported by the Anima Choir conducted by Joëlle Augustin, and José Pick's orchestra, the Golden Pick Orchestra, he presented his show ‘C'est Magnifique’. Why this title? ‘Because life is magnificent, the song is magnificent, and it's a hit by Luis Mariano, to whom I pay tribute in this show,’ confides Alagna.
 
 
The varied repertoire made for an exceptional concert, mixing tarantellas and Neapolitan songs in a veritable vocal and musical firework display, and reprising
the great hits from his shows. He opened with Oh là là, c'est magnifique - what could be more appropriate! From Granada et la Danza to [My Way, Bella Ciao or Piensa en mi], not forgetting Abballati or Angelina, his powerful voice had the audience spellbound from the very first notes. He also took us back to his meeting with Lucio Dalla at La Scala in Milan, performing Caruso. The musical journey took us from Paris to Acapulco, from Mexico City to Cadiz, and his rendition of My Way set the hall alight.
The choir had its moment to shine with [Carmina Burana] and [the Slave Chorus] from Verdi's Nabucco, as well as Queen's Show Must Go On. The surprise of the evening? The arrival of Frédéric François, for an unexpected and memorable duet on [Parla piu piano], O Sole Mio and Funiculi, Funiculà, applauded by the 2,500-strong audience. Together, they shared memories of their holidays [...] in a light-hearted, friendly atmosphere.
 
Finally, the long-awaited tribute to Luis Mariano brought the Forum to its feet [starting with] La Belle de Cadix and Rossignol, for a great moment of nostalgia. The end of the show was festive with a few dance steps; two female spectators asked for L'Amour est un bouquet de violettes and Mexico, to which he kindly replied, provoking a standing ovation to close this evening rich in emotion and friendship, such is Alagna's ability to win the hearts of the audience.
 
 
 
 

Interview

 

SUD INFO - 20th of Oktober 2024 - Rino Gallo

Roberto, you're celebrating not only your 60th birthday, but also 40 years in the business. What does that mean to you?

It's a great source of pride. Time flies, but I'm lucky enough to retain a certain inner youth. I still feel like a child. When I play with my youngest daughter, I feel like I'm 10 years old. I want to accompany my children for as long as possible. So far, I've been lucky enough to be in good health. God has always been kind to me. I'm very religious. As for music, it helps me enormously to stay grounded and move forward. I'm really looking forward to performing in Liège. I'll be accompanied by 100 backing singers and the brilliant Golden Pick Orchestra.

 

 

How would you describe this new album?

 

It's a retrospective of everything I've achieved in my life, with only previously unreleased tracks. It's a special record because I recorded it when I was 60, and it's very eclectic. I sing in several languages. For example, ‘Sognare’ is a song I wrote on guitar when I was 20, and which I used to sing in cabarets. You know, I'm a great dreamer, but in the meditative sense of the word.

What are your day-to-day routines like at home?

I always wake up in a good mood. I'm a tolerant person who likes humour and fun. There was a time when I was almost afraid of reality. When my first wife died at a very young age, everything collapsed around me. I had just started to earn a good living, we had bought a small flat and our child had just been born. I'd even bought my first Mercedes, and I felt like everyone was watching me. That's when I realised how important human relationships are. When my daughter took off and got married, I learnt to savour the little things in everyday life. Today, I consider myself privileged and lucky.

 

How do your daughters view your career?

 

They have a lot of respect for my career. My daughters have inherited part of my character. They are cheerful and full of ambition. The eldest is a mother of two and works in the film industry as an assistant director. The youngest is at a music school, like her mother and grandfather. She also speaks several languages. I'm very proud of them.

 

What role has your wife played in your development?

 

She's incredible. She taught me to let go. She's a hard worker with a very rigorous life discipline. She was born in Poland, a country she introduced me to and which I find fascinating. Poles are approachable, friendly and warm. We're very different, but we complement each other perfectly. We like the same things, and it's this complementarity that makes our relationship so strong.

 

 

Galerie



10/11/2024