The Man The Music The Show - Hugh Jackman in Concert

Ever since watching the Les Misérables movie I have been a huge Hugh Jackman fan. I knew him before as well, but after that movie, in which he was absolutely phenomenal and brilliant, I watched a lot of YouTube videos of him singing and performing. I guess you could say, I fell in love with him. 

Well, I watched that movie I don’t know how many times now... And then came The Greatest Showman. A fab movie, with great music and an amazing Hugh Jackman. He really is the born showman. When I found out he is going on a world tour, I freaked out. I immediately booked tickets form y mum and me, because she is even the bigger fan. She always tells me that he is too old for me ;). 

Sunday, May 19 2019 was the day! We headed to the Hallenstation in Zurich, one of the biggest concert halls we have in Switzerland, omg I was so excited. The concert started on time with the opening song from The Greatest Showman. And there he was, performing live on stage, in front of us. Omg, that man has a fabulous stage presence and charisma!!!

He continued with more songs from The Greatest Showman and moved on to other musicals, my highlight was obviously Les Misérables, next to The Greatest Showman. He also talked o lot, got very personal and was just funny. He talked about his childhood, his life as an actor/singer, his wife and much more. He had the perfect song for these moments and memories and the feelings really came across. He really has a gift and talent, Hugh Jackman was definitely born to be on stage. His voice is amazing, his acting is brilliant and omg, can he dance. The emotions in every song really come alive, he acts with his whole body. 

There were dancing numbers in between as well, a choir, who joined him sometimes and he had lots of dancers and singers as well. They got to do a lot, even sang songs with him, like One Day More from Les Miséerables. In the first act he called Keala Settle on stage, who played the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman and she sang This Is Me, just incredible!!!! I had tears in my eyes and couldn't deal when they moved on to Les Misérables. He sang songs from Peter Allan and played him on stage as well, that was so funny. Two people from the audience even got to go on stage, jealous!!!!

 

He sang more songs from musicals like Guys and Dolls, Cabaret or Singing in the Rain. It was over way too soon, I wish I could go again. It’s one of the best concerts, I have ever been to. I really need to watch both movies again soon and I can’t stop listening to The Greatest Showman soundtrack. 

Hugh Jackman seemed so down to earth, honest and relatable. He has a lot of charisma and let’s just be clear here: He is absolutely phenomenal, incredible and magnificent!

THE MAN THE MUSIC THE SHOW, the perfect name for this show!!!

Art on Ice 2017 - Review

Art on Ice is a yearly show put on in three cities in Switzerland. It obviously contains a lot of figure skating, but there are also acrobats, dancers and even a clown kind kf person. Every year to big cats from the showbiz are invited to sing their songs and add some music bits. This year there were James Morrison and Chaka Khan.

When one of my colleagues ask, if we would join her, I was sold at James Morrison, I just love him as a singer/songwriter and his songs are just amazing. I am not big on figure skating, but I thought I'd give it a go.

What I loved most about this show, next to James Morrison, was the mixture of elements. The theme of the show was New York, so the light and picture projections were were based around the sights of the Big Apple. Having been there recently made it very special for me. We had screens to watch the show, the actual stage and the ice, sometimes it was hard to figure out, where the people actually stood and who it was. It was clever though, because the transitions between acts was always very smoth and all the different elements together were very fascinating.

There was a story behind ut all and everyone was in included in it, the dancers, the skaters etc. The figur skaters were great, they always get the best of the world and it looks so easy when they are on the ice. Some even combined it with acrobatic elements and some were also hanging jn the air from time to time.

My oersonal highlight was James Morrison obviously. He sang my favourite songs, all of them life of course. He put a lot of feelings in the songs and he was grat interacting with the audience. Chaka Khan on theother hand didn't impress me too much. She sounded a bit off in the first songand in the others she just stood there and sang. No emotions, no interaction and on top of that: Her outfits were terrible!

So all in all, I really enjoyed the show and I'm glad I went. I will never become a big figure skating fan, but they really know hiw to put in a show and the mixture of elements was fabulous!
More info about the show: http://www.artonice.com/en/

A Special Weekend - Choir Concert Version

As most of you probably know I sing in a choir. We are called „Audite Nova Zug“ and sing a mixture of classical things like masses or requiems, but also acapella songs rock/pop or musicals.

A concert weekend with our choir actually starts the Monday before the concert with our last rehearsal in our normal rehearsal place. We usually just do a run through all the pieces we sing.

The next time we me after that is usually a Thursday (if the concerts are on Saturday and Sunday). We usually assemble on stage and place ourselves. Most of the time there are three people per voice group in one group, that can differ though. I like to stand in the first row. First of all because I am small and I want to see something and I just like the first row. It’s funny how some people want to stand in first row, but when they realise that they are not seen there (steps and orchestra in the way) they move to the back. In the soprano section we always have some discussions, because everyone feels like “I have to stand here and I don’t move”. After placing ourselves we do a warm up and then the rehearsal stars. It’s always the first rehearsal with the orchestra. The rehearsals before that are usually done with a pianist, so that our conductor can actually do his job.

So we do a run through, but with stops in between. There our conductor makes some corrections, says a few things and some pieces just have to be done several times, because the timing between orchestra and choir is not accurate or something like that.

In the break we always practice leaving the stage and walking on stage. That might sound stupid, but it’s really important. People look at this and they like having a clear order.

Well, and then we just continue until we’re done.

The day after we have another rehearsal (Friday). There we do a proper run through without any interruptions. Of course we do a warm up first and there are always things to discuss.

Then there is Saturday! The day of the first concert. The concert usually starts at 7.30 pm. We have lots to prepare before, like numbering seats or putting out programs. I always volunteer for jobs like this, because I want to help. Then we have a warm up and about 10 to 15 minutes before the concert starts we stand in our rows, ready to head to the venue and on stage. Then it all stars. Most of the time we have a break in between as well. Before the concert there is always an introduction to the piece and the composer for the audience.

After the concert it’s time to catch up with guests and see if they liked it.

On the Sunday we have a second concert, that one starts at 5.00 pm. Same procedure as Saturday, the only difference is that we have an aperitif for our sponsor after the concert. We all work there and help and it’s also great to have our guests join.

After a week like that I’m just exhausted ;) Using the voice and the long standing are all you need for that. That’s why we usually don’t have a rehearsal the day after.