**********************************************************
Misia, the new "queen of fado", will perform at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre at 8pm, Tuesday, October 21.
One of the most sought-after Portuguese singers of our time, Misia has been hailed as the foremost contemporary interpreter of fado, a bittersweet music with a 150-year tradition often heard in Portugal's roadside taverns, urban cafes and clubs, expressing yearning, loss and lament.
Misia's music was described by The Boston Globe as "wringing out emotions akin to the blues with songs of heartbreak and loss," while The New York Times said her singing is "so expressive that you don't need to understand the Portuguese words to comprehend the bitter experience and pain".
In her Hong Kong concert, Misia will introduce music from her award-winning albums and works written by the great Portuguese composer and guitarist Carlos Paredes for her forthcoming album "Canto".
Born in Oporto, Portugal, Misia migrated with her family to Barcelona, Spain, where she was exposed to fresh artistic influences and began performing on television. On her return to Portugal in 1990, Misia took up fado seriously, associating with musicians, composers, lyricists and poets in Lisbon.
Her first disc, "Misia", appeared in 1991. It was followed by "Misia Fado" (1993), "Tanto Menos Tanto Mais" (1995) and "Garras Dos Sentidos" (1998). Her albums have garnered numerous awards, including the "Grand Prix du Disque de l'Academie Charles Cros" and a "Choc de la Musique" in France and a "Silver Disc" in Portugal. Her 1999 album "Paixoes Diagonais" earned excellent reviews and made her the first Portuguese performer to receive a "spotlight" in the influential American journal Billboard. She has graced the world's most prestigious concert stages, including the Olympia and the Maison des Cultures du Monde in Paris and Town Hall in New York.
For her fados, Misia has drawn upon the work of some of Portugal's greatest poets, including Fernando Pessoa and the contemporary writer Lidia Jorge; the Nobel laureate Jose Saramago has written especially for her voice. For accompaniment, she uses traditional fado instruments, like guitarra, violin and classical guitar.
"Viva Diva: Misia" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $300, $250, $200 and $120 are now available at all URBTIX outlets.
Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. A 10% discount is also available for Friends of Leisure and Cultural Services performing venues. Box seats and lounge packages are available for the performances. For details, call 2268 7236.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked through the website, www.urbtix.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, September 15, 2003
Issued at HKT 11:28
NNNN
