Let’s Get to Know Noblesse By Natasha Barbieri

Noblesse is a Christian classical crossover trio hailing from Romania. The members are (from left to right) Evelina Manea, Lorena Zeiler, and Ramona Ghioalda.

So how did they all meet? "Well, two of When searching for their group’s name us (Lorena and Evelina) met when Lorena's suggest of "Noblesse" and the Lorena was born, as we are sisters," others "immediately agreed". They they joke. "With Ramona, we met when explain, "We liked both the meaning (it’s we were singing in a choir, 'Voces'." a French word and it means nobleness) During a break, their former pianist, and the sound of the word." Anda, started to play the song "In Christ Alone." The girls share that, "All three The girls each have different voice of us came around the piano and started types. Lorena is the highest as a soprano, to sing. That was the moment when we her sister Evelina is a mezzo and clicked with each other and we thought Ramona completes the trio with her alto that we should study that song and sing range. This allows for some interesting it in public. `In Christ Alone` was our combinations. "Usually Lorena, as the first song and since then we never soprano, has the melodic line. But there stopped singing together." are some songs (as `No Orphans of God` or `Yerushalayim`, for example) when the melodic line is sung by Next came the Christmas album entitled Ramona or by Evelina because they "Sounds of Joy." It splits half of the have to sing many solo parts in that songs in English and half in Romanian. song, and Lorena does the harmony with English listeners can start off their the other girl. Or we have some songs collection with a bonus record called when Evelina sings alto and Ramona "Songs from the Heart", which is a mezzo, although the vast majority of the compilation of all the girls recorded songs have the natural division of the English songs. "It also features a bonus voices: Lorena soprano (and the track, which is a song that we sang with melodic line), Evelina mezzo-soprano two great Romanian male voices (Andrei and Ramona alto." Barbu and Claudiu Agapie) and that can be found only on this album. This CD we Their adventures as Noblesse have taken made especially for our international the girls to the United States as well as visits, so the people can buy only our Europe. "We have sung in Germany, English songs." Luckily for fans, the France, Italy, Belgium, and in 2017 we girls are already planning their next plan to go in Portugal and Sweeden. We recording venture. "We hope to start have also sung in the United States, in working on the songs in 2017 and maybe New York, Washington D.C., Florida, finish it in 2018." Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Arizona." Noblesse is clearly a Christian group but stylistically they appeal to fans of The trio's first album was entitled "In the classical crossover genre. "Lorena Christ Alone", named after the first song and Evelina studied a little bit of they sang together. "Most of the songs classical bel canto so the influence of from this album are in English and it this type of music in our voices is was recorded mostly with piano (we understandable. But we always liked were 4 at that time, with Anda) and 3 classical crossover because we songs with violin, played by a very good perceived it closer to our souls than the friend of ours and exceptional violinist, pure classical music." Leonard Furda." They quickly followed it up with "Istoria Mantuirii." They want to continue moving forward with music videos and have plans to "The second album has the vast majority visit Brazil. When asked what their main of the songs in Romanian and it`s a ambition is, they replied, “Above all, we thematic album. It is called (in want to keep singing for the glory of our translation) `The Story of Salvation' and God in every project that we do." the songs are, chronologically, about the creation of our world, original sin, the The girls were further exposed to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, His life on public through their appearances on Earth, His death and Resurrection, the Hope Television. "Our experience with second coming, and Heaven." Hope TV United States is very much related to our visit in Washington DC when we sang at the Annual Council of the Seventh Day Adventist General and we enjoyed working with them." Conference. As they are in the same They have been in talks with the Hope building, those from Hope TV invited us TV director about future collaborations to record three of our songs on their but tell us that "we won`t reveal more at show, 'Let`s Pray! ` It was a beautiful this time. We will come in the future with experience, they are very professional further details."

To keep updated with Noblesse visit noblessemusic.ro

Let’s Get to Know

Natalia krishtopets

Natalia Krishtopets is a classical holidays in the village and those crossover soprano from Russia who times will always stay in my is rapidly gaining an online memory when all friends were following. "I live 20 km from gathering around the fire and Moscow in the town of Schelkovo. listening to my singing." Her It is my hometown and I love it very musical tastes changed with age much. Moscow is very close so I am and Natalia no longer plays guitar, able to visit this beautiful city often, but her passion for singing especially to attend theaters and remained. concert halls as a spectator. Russia is a huge country, it has so many Her hobby began to blossom under beautiful towns and places but the attention of Chris Broom. "I shame on me I haven't seen much was lucky to be noticed by the great of it. I dream to visit St Petersburg British composer Chris Broom and one day." he offered to make the CD of his songs. I am extremely happy For her "Music has always been in because of it as his songs are my blood. I remember how happy I absolutely magnificent and was when I heard beautiful songs exquisite." It was an international in my childhood and always tried to collaboration with the remember and sing it." She sang in instrumentals being recorded in her church choir but never had any London and vocals in Russia. The formal musical education. "It has final songs were mixed by sound always been just my hobby. At the engineer Stefano Galante in age of 14 one, my friends taught me Canada! "It is incredible how the to play the guitar a bit, I was Internet helps to make dreams extremely happy that I could sing come true! We have such a and play my favorite songs. Being a wonderful international project. I teenager I spent my summer am so honored to work with such influenced me a lot!), Anna absolutely talented people!" Netrebko, Elina Garanca, Eva Cassidy, Hayley Westenra, Sissel, Natalia's EP "Dreams Blackmore's Night, A-HA, of Tomorrow" is now available but Scorpions, Natasha St-Pier, Josh she promises "We are close to Groban, Loreena Mckennitt, Yanni finishing the whole album." It is and many others." planned for release later this year. As she looks to the future Natalia In addition to her musical "hobby", says, "For sure everyone has Natalia is a philologist-linguist. "I dreams, now at the age of 34 I am a teacher of English, Russian dream of peace in the world, I and literature, I graduated from dream of health and happiness for Moscow Pedagogical University in my family and friends. I dream of 2004. I've been giving private having the opportunity to visit English lessons for many years different places in the world and of already." No doubt her profession not to being afraid that something assists her when it comes to singing bad will happen." When it comes to in multiple languages. "My album music she is excited for the release will contain songs in English and of her debut album. "It will be Italian. I also enjoy singing in indeed an unbelievable event for Spanish. I dream to sing songs in me." French without an accent one day, I think it is the most difficult task At present, she has no plans to for me," she shares good-naturedly. perform in concerts. "I have never She advises singers learning new performed for an audience, so this languages, "only zeal and hard side of the artist's work is unknown work will help you to reach great to me and frightens me a bit but results.' who knows, maybe one day I'll have the opportunity to perform for Natalia draws aural inspiration people in different countries." from many different genres of music but mostly from her own genre. "I can name some of the singers: Sarah Brightman (she

Anna Hawkins Bold, Brave and Beautiful

I’ve been a fan of Anna Hawkins of the lyrics. It’s not just trite for some time now, so it’s a positive affirmations but a true privilege to review her new album. glimpse into her struggle as an From her first EP, on to her debut artist. It instantly makes you album, and last year’s “Divine,” inspired and places the listener Anna has shown a talent for staying firmly in her corner. true to her own unique sound. The album explores new territory Listeners enjoy a mix of Celtic, than what we’ve heard from Anna Christian Contemporary and but none that are beyond her grasp. Broadway textures. Anna’s The guitar in “I Will Rise” is caramel-rich voice stands out even reminiscent of the ‘Nashville’ among some very talented peers, theme song. I have always thought but it is her careful vision, country repertoire is underused in arrangements, and songwriting classical. Anna proves that there is skills that consistently keep her as always room for a cover well sung one to watch in the crossover with ‘Let it Go’ and the same is scene. true of the other covers including a Her latest release follows the beautiful version of “Sound of inspirational theme of her previous Silence” with her sister (Lisa albums with a title track that could Grace). She paces them well in easily be a commercial hit. While between her original songs so the there are many feel-good anthems listener has the right mix of about following your dreams, what something new and the comfort of seems to make “Bold, Brave and the familiar. “What if” is one of the Beautiful” stand out is the honesty original standouts.

Joanna Forest Stars are rising

Joanna Forest is the kind of artist reminiscent of Joseph and the whose persona makes audience Technicolor Dreamcoat somehow members root for her success. Her to me. It is followed by “My debut album, “Stars are Rising” Everything” just as the listener is features the City of Prague craving a more relaxed tempo and Philharmonic Orchestra and is one the soothing track is exactly what is of the stronger debuts I have heard. needed. Her cover of “Pure Joanna could have easily put out a Imagination” is also lovely. pretty but forgettable collection of “In my life” is a pleasant surprise. standard crossover repertoire but The absence of orchestra prevents instead, she and her team have unnecessary fluff and the inclusion created a truly interesting offering of nature sounds is unique. and should be proud of the results. Joanna’s vocals are just perfect for The album gets off to a dramatic an introspective approach. The start with “Sposa Son Disprezzata,” final track “Pathways” creates a a lesser utilized Italian aria. Joanna beautiful moment with Joanna has a sweet tone and the clarity of blending with the choir. her musical theater background that If you need yet another reason to will appeal to the crossover support Joanna, a portion of audience. proceeds from the album will be The arrangers do a very admirable donated to the “Coppa Feel” job of staying true to their charity for breast cancer for whom cinematic theme, even including a Joanna is a proud “Boobette” version of David Bowie’s, “Life on ambassador. Mars.” “How does it feel,” is

Ad astra per aspera To the stars through difficulties By Chantelle Constable

When Shirin Asgari, Nasrin Asgari, the women were approached by and Nazanin Ezazi stepped onto the Universal Music, whom they had stage of “Supertalent” in 2012, been previously courting through about to give their debut their ex-manager with little performance of “Nella Fantasia,” success. A seemingly overnight they were ushered in to the sound Cinderella story. of Adele's “Skyfall.” The drama But such a triumph was hard- and energy of the song inspired earned. them as they held hands and stepped up to the microphones. The Growing up in Tehran, the girls' words “we will stand tall and face families listened to classical music it all together” stuck with them – in the home and encouraged them and led them directly into the in their instrumental studies, but for repertoire of James Bond film religious reasons (by the law of the songs. country) it was not possible for them to pursue their dreams of The popular appeal of the sexy being professional singers. secret agent and the dramatic, According to Nazanin, women lyrical content of the songs were only allowed to sing in a composed for films throughout the choral setting, and even then there years were a magic fit for this were few teachers of vocal music. classical-crossover trio. The girls grew up admiring singers After their immediate and such as Edita Gruberova and Yma resounding success on Supertalent,

Sumac and Nazanin recall feeling professor at a music conservatory frustrated, as though she was in Germany. The professor failed singing “wrong,” with tension and her in the entrance exam, stating pain in her throat, and yearned to that Nazanin had not had enough learn the correct technique for previous vocal training. In spite of singing classical music. this blow to her aspirations, Nazanin then applied to school in In a fairy-tale twist of fate, one of Vienna and was accepted. The her school teachers overheard her same German professor who hiding in a classroom and rejected her was to be a judge in the practicing singing by herself. The Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing professor was stunned by her voice Competition, in which Nazanin was and arranged an invitation for her a winner. The professor was to perform at the residence of the speechless -- nearly moved to tears German ambassador to Iran. -- when Nazanin introduced Fast forward a few years later, and herself! Nazanin was auditioning for a Sticklers and snobs of vocal purity Nazanin: A contracted soloist with may rest assured -- the women of the opera house in Gratz (a process Sedonia have serious cred in the she describes as very different from world of legitimate opera. After the American opera singer's ability their studies in Vienna and Graz, to freelance with whichever opera each has been honored to perform company they choose) gave her the leading roles and premieres at chance to perform in Le Nozze de major opera houses in Europe, in Figaro, The Magic Flute, L'elisir addition to winning prestigious d'amore, and Falstaff, among others classical singing competitions. (including operetta and musicals). Some highlights are, In addition to winning the Belvedere competition, she also Shirin: The Queen of the Night in found success in Operalia and was "The Magic Flute" ("I can perform even offered a two-year young it already while sleeping.") and artist development contract by world premieres of contemporary Placido Domingo himself. operas with Klangforum Wien. However, it conflicted with her "[In] 2006 I received a scholarship contract with Graz Opera and she from AIMS and qualified for a chose the path of stability in concert tour with the orchestra of Europe. St. Johns/Oxford) and the Holland Festival." Always, even as young girls, the members of Sedonia had their Nasrin: "I already performed in hearts set on modern, classical Opera houses in Kiew and Tiflis music. Shirin and Nasrin's brother and joined the Steirischer Herbst, a is a professional musician in festival of contemporary music." Vancouver (CA) where he teaches "While studying I joined the Arnold violin, and their father is a violinist Schönberg Chor which gave me the who has arranged many traditional possibility to work with famous Iranian tunes for the violin. conductors like Seiji Ozawa or Nazanin's father played the piano Nikolaus Harnoncourt. I am and a traditional percussion grateful for that experience." instrument, and her mother was a very good dancer. Their love of the performing arts was "in their country so restrictive to women as blood." Iran. The resounding answer from all three, when asked in turn to Although they heard the native advise those who might be in a music of Iran in their homes, were similar situation to themselves, exposed to traditional Persian was: "Leave the environment and music, and learned to play follow your dreams" (Shirin)"And traditional instruments in school, do not give up." (Nasrin) all three agree that they had a Nazanin was practical in her passion for classical music early response: "My advice would be that on. They do not play their if you think you can live with it, and instruments very much anymore, if you think that you can forget except to learn a song or to teach, your dreams and live there, just do but Nazanin shared that in the role it." However, she continued, with she is currently playing at the building passion, "But if you think National Theatre of Mannheim -- that you really want to live your Juliet in a modern adaptation of dreams if you really want to reach Romeo and Juliet -- the directors your dreams and make them come incorporated her skill on the daf, a true, then stand up...... if I could do traditional Iranian percussion this, you can do it too! instrument, into her character on Everything that exists in our world stage, as Juliet is portrayed as an was one day just a thought. So, "oriental girl," and Romeo as a THINK about what you want. German boy. Because only like this will you reach it and bring it to reality. Nazanin also shares that learning If you cannot reach your dreams in the unique oriental scales and the country that you are [in], the tunings of traditional Persian music only possibility is to find your way has helped her become an excellent out. singer of baroque music. A pressing question was how all NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IN three of them found their way into THIS LIFE so dream your dreams a popular music career (or even and really believe, and know that if careers as operatic soloists) from a you want it, it will happen."

When the group made the decision decided that they wanted their to appear on Supertalent, it was a group name to include the word "to be or not to be" (Nazanin) "universe." The word represented moment for them. They had not their vision: presenting themselves met with large success in their "to the universe" as three Iranian crossover career thus far and were women who... "couldn't really eager to put themselves into the dream of that -- coming to the public eye, to receive the honest world with an international opinion of a large audience and a career." (Nazanin) Upon realizing panel of judges. While agreeing that the terms universe/universal that they were very nervous, and were, pardon the pun, universal... stating that a live talent show may the women decided to pay tribute to not be the best option for those who their heritage by using the Persian / aren't ready to hear an honest Farsi words "se" (three) and critique of their performance, "donia" (universe) to compose their Sedonia is grateful for their talent name. Se-donia. Three universes. show experience in giving them For three such talented, determined exposure to an audience of millions women, it may seem as if the world and ultimately drawing the truly is not enough. It may take attention of their record label, three universes, or even more, to Universal. contain the stellar career of Sedonia. Yet another portentous twist of fate in their fairy tale, because the singers of Sedonia had already

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

If you could give a gift or a message to flourish - there are always other places. young people in your home country, what would it be? Shirin: And maybe in the future we will see flowers of all colors growing in Iran Nasrin: Iran is a beautiful country, but again. if the soil does not let your talents Shirin, are you still an active painter? As residents of Vienna and Graz, what are some of your favorite Sure. I am regularly on exhibitions with memories of the towns? What were my paintings and usually open my some of your favorite places to visit, exhibitions with singing. For me, and restaurants to eat at? Painting is like singing with colors. Nazanin: In Graz "Schlossberg" is a What would you say has been the very, very nice place, every tourist hardest obstacle for you to overcome should go and see it. The opera house in in pursuing your musical dreams? Graz is, even from the outside, more beautiful than opera house in Vienna. In Nasrin: The hardest thing is to leave Vienna, you really have to taste the your family and country where you were sachertorte in the Hotel Sacher. born. [I] love Austrian food; Hühnerstreifen -- chicken slices baked with salad, with Nazanin: If you are kept down as a very special traditional oil Kürbiskernöl. woman your country that can be overcome, but personal crises [such as Nasrin: Well you know the sweet dishes an illness in the family or splitting with a are famous in Austria - visit the Cafe long-term partner] can be even harder to Central in Vienna get over, but anyone can get over them and we can get stronger. Shirin: Or [if you] need a Tafelspitz (beef) you should try Plachutta in Vienna, too

Sedonia.at

Viktoria Tocca By Natasha Barbieri

Viktoria Tocca is a shining Then I did a three-year musical example of a strong woman making theatre program and since waves in the genre of classical graduating, in 1998, I've been crossover music. She began her working professionally as a singer craft early on and claims, "I can't and actress." remember not singing! I was always making up my own songs Viktoria performed the title roles of and putting on shows in the house, Christine in Phantom of the Opera forcing everyone to watch!" as well as Evita, in the musical of the same name. Her career's At the tender age of 10, she was expansion into the classical accepted to the Adolf Fredriks crossover genre "came rather School of Music in Stockholm. naturally for me," Viktoria says. Viktoria explains that while it is "I've always liked to write music similar to a regular school, music is and lyrics but never really pursued a part of their everyday classes. "A it until I got pregnant with my lot of Sweden's musical talent daughter. I couldn't do musical stems from this school and I had theatre during the pregnancy and six wonderful years there where I for a while after having the baby, was often the soloist at concerts. so that's when I started working on that's a really great feeling. Another my first album which was in favorite is obviously playing Swedish. Then, of course, I was Christine in Phantom of the Opera, hooked and have to date released which had been my dream for so four albums, a Christmas EP that long!" I'm working on extending to a full album, and lots of singles." Viktoria created the role of Sissi in the world premiere of "Ludwig II." Both creating roles on stage and She calls the experience "really performing as a solo artist "requires special" as well as challenging. "I me to be very honest on stage. had never worked in Germany, so When creating a character I have to the language was new and I had highlight certain parts that are more never worked on such a huge stage prominent in that other person. I before. The theatre was more than usually do quite a lot of work when 2000 seats and the stage was huge! creating a character, lots of writing We had real horses on stage as well and figuring out who this person is, as a huge pool where Ludwig but ultimately it will all stem from drowned himself in the end. It was also such an honor to play such an myself and my own experience iconic historical figure as Empress and bringing that out in the most Elisabeth "Sissi" of Austria. You honest way possible." could hear the audience whisper her name every night at my first Does she have a favorite onstage entrance, "Sissi, Sissi, look it's moment? "There are many," Sissi", that was very humbling." Viktoria shares. "Right now I'm in the middle of working on a I ask Viktoria if there are any plays character that I really love, she would like to see made into Francesca in The Bridges of musicals. Her response is Madison County and we're doing a enthusiastic, "Oh wow, that's a couple of songs from the show in great question. When I come up the musical theatre concert tour with something really great I'll let "Från Broadway till Duvemåla" you know because I might want to that I'm currently in and that's one write my first musical myself!" of my favorite moments on stage every night, because you can feel Viktoria is very supportive of new the character taking form right music. "I think there are plenty of there and then in the moment and good singers out there who want to do classical crossover, but most of them sing and record the same stuff about, I decided to produce that has been done before. I think something myself. I had no idea that it's very important to write, that it would grow so big so create and sing new material for the quickly, but we're booking shows genre to move forward! I think left and right, getting spectacular Jennifer Thomas is doing a lot for reviews and I'm honestly getting the instrumental CC genre and more work than I can handle at the Mary-Jess is one of my moment, but I'm not complaining!" favorite singers in the CC genre, both writing a lot of new material and doing a great job!" Of course, creating new music and producing shows is expensive and

difficult especially for the When I asked if there's one song independent artist. Platforms like from the classical crossover Pledge Music and Patreon, repertoire that Viktoria thinks however, are allowing fans to should be retired she replies, "Oh I finance the projects they believe don't know. I love a lot of this in. "For me, it's absolutely repertoire, but I don't think we need necessary! I try to offer as much as any more recordings of Time to Say possible to my patrons and fans Goodbye and Nella Fantasia unless because they're really the people someone is going to spice it up and who support all the creative ideas I do something really different!" Fair have. I still spend a lot of my own enough. money that I make at concerts etc., on new recordings, music videos etc, but my Patreons are very Viktoria is currently involved in a important!" tour of Broadway music in Sweden called Från Broadway till Viktoria continues to train her Duvemåla. "I'm actually producing voice under the tutelage of Douglas this tour myself. I've worked Yates. "I've had the same teacher mostly internationally in my career for a long time. Douglas Yates is and moving back to Sweden, for basically classical, but he works family reasons, I realized that it's with all genres since the basic not so easy to break into the technique is very much the same. musical theatre scene in Sweden." I've been with him since 2001. I Still, Viktoria remains undaunted. work with him very intensely 4-5 "Instead of sitting at home moping times a year when he comes to Sweden or I have the time to go see him (he lives in Germany). But TV when I have time. Binge usually we work for 4-5 days, very watching series on any of the online intensely and that's enough at the services is such a treat! Other than level I'm at. The rest of the time I that I love walking my dogs in the work on my own." woods or going out on our boat. Nature and quiet creates such a On her time off Viktoria enjoys perfect balance to my rather hectic reading. "Finding a good book and life, I love it! And food, yes, I love spending time is like a vacation. I food! Who doesn't?!" also love watching great films and TV series. I really love all the new online options where I can watch

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