UNT.se (SE)
by Loretto Linusson
Translation from Swedish to English by Bruno Hibombo Original article: www.unt.se
Review: Diamanda Galás entrance onto the stage is to the point, UNT's critic Loretto Linusson writes.
She steps on stage, sits down by the grand piano with half her back turned to the audience and fires off "A la sierra de Armenia", an old flamenco tune which Galás performs using her idiosyncratic vocal acrobatics. When she sings with full force, it hurts your ears and makes you think that one of the sound technicians has messed up the mixing of the sound. But that isn't the case. It is meant to move you, both physically and emotionally.
Diamanda Galás speaks the language of the oppressed, in this concert that is part of the tour "The Refugee". With an ostensibly mixed repertoire consisting of everything from flamenco to Jacques Brel, it's as if ghosts, women and gays, in the at times tormenting laments, are given a voice from the other side of the grave. An impressive number of languages occur within the program, but with Galás unique intonation it's as if the languages are morphed into a feigned language of her own that brings glossolalia of shamanistic rituals to mind.
Galás is without doubt a pianist of the highest caliber. But from the challenging cante jondo to her expressionist shrieks, the versatility she has in her voice cannot be matched by any other artist. When she towards the end of the concert, in the song "Ter vorgomia" sings in her head voice, I am reminded of opera singer Katarina Dalaymans deep soprano voice. It's really beautiful.
Diamanda Galás' stage presence calls for respect. The few times that she establishes a connection with the audience by speaking in between songs, fragility emerges that in contrast to her vocal range makes one wonder if she is possessed. Not letting anyone under her skin is also part of her expression. Instead, the sum of the piano, voice and her presence is like a musical performance. It's frightening and sometimes it both shakes you and upsets you.
kultur@unt.se
by Loretto Linusson
Translation from Swedish to English by Bruno Hibombo Original article: www.unt.se
Review: Diamanda Galás entrance onto the stage is to the point, UNT's critic Loretto Linusson writes.
She steps on stage, sits down by the grand piano with half her back turned to the audience and fires off "A la sierra de Armenia", an old flamenco tune which Galás performs using her idiosyncratic vocal acrobatics. When she sings with full force, it hurts your ears and makes you think that one of the sound technicians has messed up the mixing of the sound. But that isn't the case. It is meant to move you, both physically and emotionally.
Diamanda Galás speaks the language of the oppressed, in this concert that is part of the tour "The Refugee". With an ostensibly mixed repertoire consisting of everything from flamenco to Jacques Brel, it's as if ghosts, women and gays, in the at times tormenting laments, are given a voice from the other side of the grave. An impressive number of languages occur within the program, but with Galás unique intonation it's as if the languages are morphed into a feigned language of her own that brings glossolalia of shamanistic rituals to mind.
Galás is without doubt a pianist of the highest caliber. But from the challenging cante jondo to her expressionist shrieks, the versatility she has in her voice cannot be matched by any other artist. When she towards the end of the concert, in the song "Ter vorgomia" sings in her head voice, I am reminded of opera singer Katarina Dalaymans deep soprano voice. It's really beautiful.
Diamanda Galás' stage presence calls for respect. The few times that she establishes a connection with the audience by speaking in between songs, fragility emerges that in contrast to her vocal range makes one wonder if she is possessed. Not letting anyone under her skin is also part of her expression. Instead, the sum of the piano, voice and her presence is like a musical performance. It's frightening and sometimes it both shakes you and upsets you.
kultur@unt.se