Sigrid Hauser – Pur was performed at Volksoper, Vienna. Picture: Barbara Palffy
Sigrid Hauser – Pur opened on 10 April 2015 at Volksoper, Vienna, and will run once more on 20 April 2015 at the same venue.
Star rating: 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Following her iconic roles in Guys and Dolls and the recent rerun of Hello, Dolly! (both reviewed on the Musical Theatre Review site), Sigrid Hauser returned with an intimate evening and probably one of her most ambitious and best projects so far.
With a mix of opera, pop, musical theatre and jazz, shaken up with a little bit of comedy, Hauser delivered a mind-blowing performance throughout. The songs included: an electrifying opening with ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’; an energetic (even though the song choices might have been rather odd) Aladdin medley, from the Disney motion picture with songs by Alan Menken; a moving rendition of Maury Yeston’s ‘Unusual Way’; and a magical ‘Amore’ medley featuring songs by Hollaender, Warren, Weill, Bizet, Grönemeyer and Bacharach. I particularly enjoyed how ‘Männer’ started out in a jazzy arrangement and then burst into a showstopper accompanied by amazing light effects. Hauser’s special guest for the evening was the actor/singer Hans Neblung. Together they performed the Sondheim-penned song ‘Old Friends’.
Most of the songs performed represented an episode in Hauser’s life and career. She was accompanied by a 16-piece orchestra lead by musical director Lorenz C. Aichner. For this special programme, the orchestra was onstage rather than in the pit, and therefore the sound was completely different. The wonderful jazzy arrangements were by Kai Tietje, Tscho Theissing and Aichner. The beautiful visuals were created by Hannes Schmitzberger, with stage concept and light design by Martin Lukesch. The show was written by Hauser herself with Nicole Claudia Weber.
Hauser has many sides. She knows how to use her voice in all genres and this evening demonstrated that at its best. She knows where a classical voice is needed, she knows how to pull off both a showstopper and a comedy sketch, all of which the artist does equally well. She is a rare talent with a beautiful and extremely energetic voice and divine acting skills.
Ludovico Lucchesi Palli
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