Hayley in September issue Classic FM mag

[susieq]

mariannek said:

susieq said:

ROFL i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I cant wait for the album to arrive...I keep listening to the sound bites on the official site i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Hi Susie,
May I add my sincere thanks to your contributions here...fabulous !!!
I am actually (secretly) in love with Vittorio !! Sad thing is he doesn't know !! Only has eyes for Maria !

So what is ROFL...could I be accused of that as well ?? An honest question by the way !

Love, Marianne

Hi Marianne...did you say "secretly " in love i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i think your secret is out now... i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif but dont worry...you are amongst friends

[mariannek]

susieq said:

mariannek said:

Hi Susie,
May I add my sincere thanks to your contributions here...fabulous !!!
I am actually (secretly) in love with Vittorio !! Sad thing is he doesn't know !! Only has eyes for Maria !

So what is ROFL...could I be accused of that as well ?? An honest question by the way !

Love, Marianne

Hi Marianne...did you say "secretly " in love i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i think your secret is out now... i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif but dont worry...you are amongst friends

Hi Susie,
My secret may be out, my friend, but does Vittorio know...that is the question ??
Would he leave Maria for Marianne ( never mind that one in LA) ?
I guess I can continue to dream as well as hope now !. If only he knew that I play his popera album..........
Love, Marianne

[Stephany]

Hi all,
Here is the interesting article from 'Classic FM magazine'.

Stephany

The Story Continues
Young stars Hayley Westenra and Vittorio Grigolo bring Bernstein's West Side Story into the 21st Century with a stunning new recording.

Her first encounter with West Side Story brings back embarrassing memories for Hayley Westenra."When I was about eitht, I led my ballet class in a performance of "I Feel Pretty". There I was, holding a cardboard mirror and singing those words and I felt so vain! Of course, I didn't know the context of the song back then". A few years later she saw the filnm and was hooked. "It's just one brilliant song after another," she says.

This is Hayley's first performance of the whole musical(she recorded 'Somewhere' for one of her earlier albums). Vittorio Grigolo, on the other hand, has already sung the part of Tony at Milan's La Scala, and he has a personal connection to one of the songs. 'The name Maria is special to a catholic,' he says, '-and it's part of my name too - Vittorio Maria.'

The two young performers are near enough teenagers to be perfect for the roles of Tony and Maria.'I respect Jose Carreras and Kiri Te Kanawa, but I wanted to play Tony really young,' says the 30-year old Vittorio (who could easily pass for 21). ' I feel the sensation looking at hayley - she's like the real Maria. At 19, she's just realising she's a woman.'

Vittorio says Hayley helped him to view things 'through pure eyes'. He continues:'The way she was seeing maria - discovering her step-by-step-reminded me what it was like to sing the music for the first time.'

Hayley says Vittorio has helped her develop into the role.'During the show, Maria grows in confidence - in herself and in her emotions. Vittorio encouraged me to come out of my shell a bit more. He gives his all when he performs, which motivates me to do the same. We've both learned from each other.'

The singers met two years ago at the Classical Brit Awards. How was that first meeting? 'Brief but intense?' offers Vittorio. 'You're putting words into my mouth,' says Hayley. 'But it's been a lot of fun, hasn't it?' A teasing silence from Vittorio. 'It has!' she cries, 'I think we work really well together.'

Hayley has high hopes for their recording. 'I think lots of people are ready to hear a new version. It would be great to reach out to people of our generation and sweep them along with it.' Vittorio is in no doubt that it will be a success.'It is something that's in the heart of everybody'.

[mariannek]

Hi Stephany,
That is such a fantastic find and interview !!
Thank you so very much !!
And to think Vittorio has half of my name in his second name !! We were meant ! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
I think Hayley is absolutely right about Vittorio bringing her out of her natural shyness. After all he is 10 years her senior and so much more experienced...and a heartthrob to boot !!
I am dreaming about a DVD of WSS !!
Love, Marianne

[Stephany]

Absolutely, Marianne.
Hayley's confidence seems to be growing when she's with Vittorio. Not that she needed it, but it can be very useful for performances like Woburn's.

'I think lots of people are ready to hear a new version. It would be great to reach out to people of our generation and sweep them along with it.'

I couldn't agree more with you, Hayley. As I said somewhere on this forum, I wasn't familiar with 'West Side Story' before hearing about this 50th birthday project. I knew some of the songs without knowing that they were part of WSS. I wasn't a 'fan' either but the songs quickly grew on me and now I find myself singing 'I feel pretty' in my shower
Anyway, my point was simply to say that this new recording did reach at least one person of Hayley's generation

Stephany

[Richard]

Hello Stephany!

I'm sure you're only one of many. Hayley and Vittorio will both gain many new fans with this album, and they will introduce new people to Leonard Bernstein's fabulous score. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes,

Richard