Resilient Siti

Music: Resilient Siti
AZMAN AHMAD
Mar 22:
Despite lack of big sponsors, diva stays upbeat for London show, writes AZMAN AHMAD.

THE reluctance of big corporations to sponsor Siti Nurhaliza’s historic April 1 concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall may have saddened the diva but that won’t stop her from giving her best for the international audience.

In fact, she has been working extra hard, rehearsing for almost one month now for the show, the first by her in England.

There is every reason why Siti wants her concert to be perfect. It’s a milestone not only for her but Malaysian artistes as well.

No other artiste in the country has ever performed a full concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

The late Sudirman Arshad scored a first there but it was in an international music contest for Asian singers.

For the record, Sudir did Malaysia proud when he clinched the best Asian performer title after beating the likes of Anita Sarawak and Leslie Cheung.

Siti’s concert is a different ball game altogether since it’s the first by a Malaysian.

At a recent Press conference after a sneak preview of her show at the Putra World Trade Centre, Siti said while she is happy to realise her dream of performing on an international stage, the lack of sponsors made her feel a bit disappointed.

“After all, I’m doing my bit to bring Malaysian music to the rest of the world but it seems that not many people are aware of what I’m doing. Unlike sports events where sponsors abound, I hope there’ll be sponsors for events such as concerts involving local artistes, especially those held abroad,” said Siti.

She is confident more sponsors will eventually come in as there are still a few more weeks before the show.

Concert executive chairman Ahmad Fazli Yaakob, or Fazley, said the absence of big sponsors forced the two companies behind the concert, Siti Nurhaliza Productions (M) Sdn Bhd and Putrade Property Management Sdn Bhd to bear most of the cost.

“There’re a few small sponsors but the big corporations are shying away. It’s a sad thing but there’s still time for them to come forward,” Fazley said.

It’s understood that only some of the air tickets for Siti’s 60-odd entourage to London are sponsored by an airline.

That’s one of the reasons why most newspapers are not sending their reporters to cover the concert in London as they have to pay their own way.

There is a Royal Albert Hall package that includes the round ticket fare to London and accommodation but it’s still beyond the means of many people.

Siti’s concert is a 50-50 venture between Siti’s SNP and Fazley’s Putrade Property Management. It has Pak Ngah Suhaimi as assistant producer, Indonesian Erwin Gutawa as orchestral director and 34 members of the London Symphony Orchestra in the string section.

Local musicians for the pop segment are keyboardists Aubrey Suwito and Jason, Andy Peterson (bass) and Steve Thornton (percussion), Ramli Mohram (rebana), James Wilson (guitar), Greg Lyons (saxophone) and Kesavan (flute).

The concert will also feature traditional musicians under the supervision of Pak Ngah Suhaimi, in addition to 16 traditional dancers from Yayasan Warisan Johor.

Roslan Aziz, the concert musical director and producer, said he was pleased with the hard work and professionalism shown by Siti at rehearsals.

“She’s a gifted singer and in a class of her own. I admire her for her extraordinary talent and determination to further improve herself though she’s already the No. 1 singer in Malaysia,” he said.

He also showered praises on the musicians and dancers, especially the traditional troupe from Johor with their superb choreography.

“This is the first time I’m working with Siti and I’m so proud of her determination to give her best. I’m confident that she’ll make Malaysia proud with her performance,” he said.

TV personality Mahadzir Lokman is acting as Siti’s speech coach to make sure she delivers her English correctly and fluently at the concert. He’s also the emcee for the concert. Siti will perform 30 songs, some medleys which will include pop and traditional tunes from her albums during the two- hour show.

Her wardrobe is designed by Radzwan Radzwil and Michael Ong. Siti and her dancers will also wear batik to help promote Malaysin art and culture.

On ticket sales, Fazley said it was normal for the counter at the Royal Albert Hall to be packed with patrons at the last minute. “We’ve been told that bookings have been encouraging but the tickets will only be claimed two weeks before the show. From Malaysia, there’re about 200 fans who bought the Royal Albert Hall package that includes flight and accommodation,” he said. Siti and her entourage will leave for London on March 23, where they will perform a few pocket shows to promote her concert, including one at Oriental City London, on March 26 and 27.

“We may have another one in Manchester too as there’re quite a number of Malaysians staying there. Siti’s show is expected to attract Malaysians, Singaporeans, Indonesians and Bruneians living, working or studying there besides foreigners,” he said.

Siti’s Royal Albert Hall concert will mark her 10th year in show business as her debut album Jerat Percintaan was released on April 1 a decade ago.