Corteo, najbolj čarobna izmed vseh stvaritev svetovne atrakcije Cirque de Soleil, je na evropski turneji. V njenem sklopu prihajajo tudi v slovensko prestolnico. Predstava je bila prvič uprizorjena leta 2005. Od takrat je uspelo Corteu očarati že več kot 10 milijonov gledalcev, obiskali so 22 držav na 4 kontinentih. V Ljubljani bodo s 6 predstavami nastopili od 12. do 15. decembra. Pogovarjali smo se z umetniškim vodjo Olafom Triebelom.

Če lahko pripomnim, zdaj, ko se vidiva vizualno po internetu, ste me malce presenetili…
Presenetil? Kaj pa?

Na fotografijah ste malce drugačni. Krajše ostriženi in podobno, tako da sem pomislil, da je na drugi strani Hauser iz 2CELLOS.
Hahaha res?

Res, na hitro sta si podobna na nekaterih fotografijah. A pojdiva k pogovoru.
OK, kar dajva.

CDS ni cirkus, kakršne si predstavljamo. Ne le s programom, ampak tudi dejavnostmi, s katerimi se ukvarjate poleg. Multimedijske produkcije, glasba. Koliko je danes takšnih cirkusov? Bi jim lahko rekli sodobni?
Bi, čeprav to ni ravno lahko odgovoriti. Danes je namreč veliko cirkusov, ki se razlikujejo in ki so sodobni. Mi na primer imamo več kot 53 umetnikov, med njimi tudi pevce, glasbenike,… tako da smo zares velik produkcija v živo.

Ko sem gledal vašo spletno stran, sem opazil, da ima blagovna znamka CDS veliko služb, izpostav, oddelkov…
Glavni sedež imamo v Montrealu. Glede na dejavnosti pa imamo tudi več izpostav. Poleg Amerike tudi v Avstraliji, Španiji…

Na vaši spletni strani je navedeno tudi, da je oblikovalec kostumov Alan Hranitelj. Glede na to, da prihaja iz sosednje Hrvaške, se morda spomnite, ali je CDS kdaj sodeloval tudi s kom iz Slovenije?
Za to informacijo nisem povsem gotov, ali drži. Za zadnje naše predstave je kostume oblikovala umetnica Dominique Lemieux iz Kanade. CDS ima preko 5000 zaposlenih in verjetno je g. Hranitelj sodeloval pri drugih predstavah.  

Vi ste umetniški vodja šova. Kakšno delo je to pravzaprav?
Sam sem bil 20 let cirkuški umetnik. Kasneje sem začel režirati predstave, delati koreografije. Kot umetniški vodja imam nalogo, da so predstave najboljše kot je mogoče. Vodim in nadziram vaje, sestavljam urnike, na skrbi imam več kot 2000 kostumov. Koordiniram tudi ostalo delo, od fizioterapevtov do zdravnikov. Zraven sem tudi inštruktor pri vsebini točk, s katerimi nastopajo naši umetniki. Moje delo je tudi iskanje in sprejemanje novih umetnikov. Zagotoviti moram nadomestne v primerih poškodb, bolezni, dopustov. Skratka, zelo široko delo. In zelo pestro.

Ste v šovu nastopali kdaj tudi sami?
V CDS? Ne, nikoli. Zanimivo, kajne?

Desetletja je za marsikoga sporno v cirkusih nastopanje živali, pogoji njihovega življenja, dresura. Pri vas nastopajo?
CDS ni nikoli imel živali v nobeni svoji predstavi. So pa v živalskih vlogah nastopali igralci.

Ker vas je v ekipi 120, če se malce pošaliva, se je že kdaj zgodilo, da ste kje koga preprosto pozabili? V smislu filma Sam doma recimo?
Hahaha, zdaj ste me pa nasmejali! Odlično vprašanje! Ni nas samo 120, je tudi 18 različnih narodnosti in 18 jezikov. Verjeli ali ne, doslej se nam še nikoli ni zgodilo, da bi koga kje pozabili ali izgubili. Res pa ni ravno lahko kontrolirati teh stvari in jih imeti pod nadzorom. 120 ljudi je navsezadnje 120. In ne potujemo vedno enako. Včasih z avtobusi, drugič z letali… Pred vsakim odhodom, med vsakim prestopom in po vsakem prihodu je potrebno preveriti, če smo vsi.

Kaj lahko poveva o gostovanju v Sloveniji?
Predstava, to vam lahko že sedaj malo izdam, bo drugačna. Poleg tega, da je za vse generacije. Dogajanje bo postavljeno na sredi arene, občinstvo bo na obeh straneh, zaradi česar se počuti posebno. Tudi za nastopajoče je drugače. Ko si na odru, ne gledaš občinstva oziroma ga vidiš drugače, le spredaj. Tako pa je vseokrog tebe in občinstvo vidijo tudi nastopajoči.

Če vas prav razumem, gre za posledični nekakšen občutek tako pri občinstvu kot pri nastopajočih, da so oboji del dogajanja na odru?
Točno tako. V delih nekaterih točk bodo umetniki tudi poleteli nad občinstvom in med občinstvo. Obiskovalci bodo nastopajočega lahko tudi dobesedno potisnili, da bo poletel nazaj in podobno. Tako da ja, izkoriščena bo cela arena. Brez zamere, a več ne bi izdal, naj bo presenečenje za predstavo, ker sicer to ne bo.

V Ljubljani boste tri dni. Boste šli tudi na kakšen potep po mestu, na ogled kakšne znamenitosti, na kakšno kulinarično pokušino in podobno?
Na žalost ne, ker sem polno zaposlen od jutra do večera. Pa bi rad šel in sem si to tudi želel. Nekaj iz naše ekipe jih bo šlo, sam pa bom tokrat žal »doma«. Zvečer sem tudi tako utrujen, da mi, po pravici, po glavi rojijo predvsem ali samo misli o spancu in počitku.

Veliko potujete, selite se iz enega v drug časovni pas, različna podnebja in podobno. Kako naporno je takšno življenje? Je kakšna časovna meja, ki je človek pri takem delu na zdrži več? Kakšna je pravzaprav starostna populacija umetnikov v šovih?
Veliko je odvisno od discipline vsakega posameznika. Ta je sicer nujna. Generacijsko so nastopajoči nekje med 23 in 65 leti. Nekatere zvrsti so zaradi narave točk časovno bolj na ozko omejene oziroma krajše. Pri nekaterih na primer je vrhunec pri 40 letih, spet pri drugih lahko normalno delaš do 65. leta ali še kakšno leto dlje. Če posplošim, pa je največkrat odvisno od posameznika in se tudi razlikuje od enega do drugega. Glede potovanj in nastopanj pa smo 10 tednov na potovanjih, zatem pa 2 doma.

Koliko ima človek na vašem mestu zasebnega življenja? Ste kje doma v pravem pomenu besede?
Sam imam dom v Montrealu. Letno potujem po svetu 10 mesecev. Večino leta torej, tako da tvoj dom postanejo tudi tvoji sodelavci. Selimo se z enega konca na drugega, potujemo iz hotela v hotel… tako da pri našem delu doma ne dojemamo več le kot hiše ali stanovanja, ampak bolj ljudi, s katerimi sobivaš.

Kaj počnete v prostem času? Imate kakšen hobi?
Pri delu, kot je moje, je služba neogibno tudi neke vrste hobija. Pri vseh potovanjih za kakšne posebne hobije pravzaprav tudi nimaš prave volje. Morda bi lahko rekel, da je glede na to, koliko sem odsoten, moj hobi počivanje in uživanje doma. Imamo pa na potovanjih tudi možnost različnih sprostitev, od bazena, savne, fitnesa in podobno. Sem ter tja si priredimo tudi kakšen piknik denimo in se zabavamo. Vse to je potrebno, saj potrebuješ kondicijo in tudi sprostitev od dela.

Photo: Darja Štavs Tisu in CDS management
Video: estrada.si

This Friday an interesting concert is expected in the Arena Campus Sava in Ptuj. The legendary English rock group Slade will perform on the Slovenian stage. And that’s not all! For the guests at the performance, they chose Slovenian guests. And these are neither random nor anyone. Namely, the group Get back will perform with Slade. Slovenian rockers who also perform successfully abroad and whose songs are played by radio stations in several foreign countries.
That is why it is absolutely necessary to ask the legendary Brits about the Slovenian band. “It’s always great when you play with different bands and colleagues at concerts abroad. Get back is a very good band. It’s also very nice to hear when they say that they are our fans and that they also looked up to Slade as idol. We are looking forward to performing with them in Ptuj,” Slade lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Hill told us.
Branko Potočnik from Get back confirms that it is true that they were also inspired by Slade on their way. “For example, I have been following them for a long time and they are truly legends. They have been on the scene for 54 years, so I know their music well. All I can say is hats off,” he says. Get back are not the only musicians who were inspired by their British colleagues. “Some of the biggest rock bands in the world have told me that they started playing guitars and decided to play music because they liked our music. We are a band that has worked hard for success. We created our own music. We also had a fantastic producer, Chas Chandler, who helped us succeed. That’s what we’ve always said,” adds Hill.

Without privileges
Slade have already celebrated 50 years on stage, but there is no indication that they are thinking about saying goodbye. Quite the opposite. They say that they are far from having the last say and that despite the journeys, which have become more strenuous over the years, they are anything but tired. What are their challenges? What will happen in the future? “For me personally, even after 50 years, music is still a challenge, either for the band or for me. I am also creating a solo album, which is definitely a unique challenge. If you ask me about the future, the future is always unknown. But there is no doubt that I will always be in music. With the group’s compositions and also with solo album. It will be something new and different. I hope the fans will like it,” says Hill.
Fifty years is a long period of joint activity for any group. Even in Slade, the membership changed, from the founding members only Hill is still in the group today. The last member of the current line-up, Alex Bines, joined the band in 2020. How difficult is it to coordinate between two members with such different mileage? Are any problems? “Not at all. We are an amazing band with great guys. We do very well together in this composition. And, what is very important or most important, we also sound great in the compositions,” he explains. Although, according to fans, Hill is a chief in the group, he says that this is not the case. But does he have any privileges? “Unfortunately, no, none, haha, but I wouldn’t say no if there is a chance to get them,” he replies.

Romantic Christmas rockers
The band’s reputation for romantic rock genre has also been sticking to the band for a very long time. Do they see themselves that way? “We are a strong rock band with great rock songs. Our rock ballads, clothes and everything else are the basis for excitement and fun even today. Especially in the 1970s, those were really glamorous times,” he recalls. But they are also a very interesting rock band. Their most famous composition is Christmas-themed, Merry Christmas. A paradox? “The 1960s and 1970s were a fantastic time to be in a band and make music. We worked by trying something else as well. But always as a group. The rest is a coincidence related to the audience,” he explains.
What about the new Slade? Is there already any successor? What is the perspective of young people? “Today, times are completely different. Today we live in a world of technology. No matter what the world is like, there are new groups even today. Quite a few are also very good. Many of them were also inspired by our music. There will always be new bands, new musicians and new music. That’s how this world is made and that’s how life is,” he believes.

Family is happy place
Once popular gramophone records are making a comeback. More and more musicians decide to record and release something on them. How about Slade? “I grew up with vinyl records. I think it’s wonderful that they’re coming back. They still sound great, of course with the right turntable. Also, Slade has re-released some albums from the past on vinyl, so they are available to fans,” he announced to fans. But what is the private life of the most recognizable member of Slade? “Now it will be 60 years since I have been performing and it is still a pleasure for me. My happy place is family. I enjoy being away from work whenever I can. Family is first and will always be the most important thing in my life, above everything else.” And finally, what about Slovenia and Slovenian fans? Any message for them? “Of course! Keep on Rockin’! Best regards to the concert.”

Photo: personal archive

Frontman grupe Vigor Mario Roth ovih dana našao se u novoj ulozi. Postao je jedan od članova žirija šova Tvoje lice zvuči poznato. Iako je grupa na sceni i jedna od najpopularnjih na području nekadašnje Jugoslavije več deset godina, za Maria ta je uloga nešto novo. Jednog od najpoželnijih Hrvata tom prilikom smo zbog toga pitali o aktualnim stvarima, a uz to otkrio nam je i neke druge. 

Postali ste član žirije TLZP. Bili ste možda već prije u takvoj ulozi?
Ovo mi je prvi put i beskrajno uživam u tome. Ekipa je sjajna, svi se poznajemo od prije i nema nikakvih tenzija već je sve opušteno i k tome se jako dobro zabavljamo. Ja sam prije uspjeha na glazbenoj sceni radio kao voditelj na radiu tako da mi ovaj žirijski zadatak dođe kao nešto normalno i prirodno.

Kako će biti za vas ocjenjivanje kolega? Biti čete strogi, objektivni?
“Tvoje lice zvuči poznato” je emisija koja je prvenstveno osmišljena kako bi se ljudi pred televizijom zabavili. To nije pjevačko natjecanje niti Eurosong. To je zabava za cijelu obitelj a k tome je još i humanitarnog karaktera. Ocijene su tu najmanje bitne, bitno je da se ljudi nedjeljom prije početka novog radnog tjedna opuste i beskrajno nasmiju i zabave. Ocjenjivanje je tu samo zbog priče i malo uzbuđenja.

I sami prije nekoliko godina sudjelovali ste u tom šovu kao takmičar. Smatrate, da je zbog tog iskustva biti žirant lakše?
Jedno je biti natjecatelj, a drugo u ulozi žirija. Kao natjecatelj si pun pressinga jer na setu moraš biti ujutro u šest pa do osam na večer do kada snimanje traje. Beskrajno sjedenje satima u šminci, pa nakon toga oblačenje u kostim, pa generalna proba bez publike, pa onda cijeli performans pred publikom. Nije to lagan posao. To se čini kao da je tako, ali iza svake te transformacije stoji jedan ozbiljan tim ljudi koji isto tako jako puno rade da bi show bio što uspješniji i zanimljiviji. 

Bio je netko, koga ste ili bi željeli imitirati a nije bilo prilike?
S obzirom kako sam bio u čak dvije sezone, imao sam 24 transformacije, odnosno imitacije i sve su mi bile podjednako drage. Neke su bile jako dobre, neke malo manje dobre ali to je normalno. Ne možeš u svima biti najbolji. Sve je stvar što ti gljiva da za zadatak i kako ti tome osobno i pristupaš. Naravno da ulogu igra i tip pjevača. Ja sam bariton i samo takve pjesme mogu pjevati, da su u mojoj glasovnoj postavi. Volio bih da sam mogao dobiti priliku biti Indira, pa Jasmin Savros, Louis Armstrong… ima ih.

Idu vam od ruke inače imitacije koga od poznatih?
Mislim da sam to savršeno pokazao u mojim dvijema sezonama. One koje odlično imitiram sam i dobio u emisiji.

Može se dogoditi, da će netko od takmičara dobilo zadatak da imitira vas. U tom slučaju, budete ga ocjenjivali ili to prepustili kolegama i sami se distancirali? Kakvi ste inače u slučajevima ocjenjivana nekoga, ko vas imitira?
Ocjenjivati moram jer mi je to zadatak. Bez obzira kakva transformacija i imitacija bila, svakako ću nagraditi visokom ocjenom jer znam da im ne bi bilo lako imitirati mene dok ja sjedim par metara od njih. Ocijene se moraju dati jer su takva pravila iako bih bio najsretniji da nema ocjenjivanja i da bez pressinga uživamo u zabavnom showu, ali pravila su drugačija i trudim se biti realan u svojim ocjenama.

Vigor je jedan od najpopularnijih bendova već deset godina. Vi živite samo od muzike. Kako je danas biti profesionalni muzičar? Pogotovo u bendu, gdje zarade podjele se na više dijelova?
Kada imaš hitove, kada imaš publiku i koncerte na koje ta publika i dolazi, onda se od toga dobro živi. Ja već deset godina radim samo to i od toga živim i ne mogu se žaliti na bilo što. Imamo tu sreću da nam je život tako podijelio karte, da smo sami svoji šefovi, sami odlučujemo što želimo,a što ne želimo. Nitko nam ne visi nad glavom i to je pravi blagoslov jer sami upravljamo svojim poslom i svojim odlukama.

Grupa Vigor prijatelj je s klapom Rišpet. Slično prijatelji ste s još kojim od kolega?
Dugo i lijepo prijateljstvo gajimo sa Joletom, Mejašima, Mineom, Grupama Tarapana i Učiteljice, Miroslavom Škoro, Indirom…Ima ih još ali ću ih sigurno zaboraviti spomenuti.

A vi sami? Imate neka velika prijateljstva među kolegama?
Družim se samo s onim ljudima koji imaju lijepu i toplu energiju. Većinu njih sam već naveo. To su ljudi koji su “raja” i svaki put kad se vidimo pišemo neke lijepe i zabavne trenutke.

Kako je inače s prijateljstvima na hrvatskoj muzičkoj sceni? Ima toga puno, malo?
S obzirom na količinu posla i na to koliko putujemo i radimo koncerte, vrlo rijetko se susrećemo sa svima jer su i oni zauzeti svojim poslovima pa prilike za druženja baš i nisu česte. Kada se vidimo na snimanjima emisija ili na nekim zajedničkim koncertima, uvijek popričamo i nazdravimo.

Jednom prilikom za hrvatsku estradnu scenu izjavili ste da je sterilna. Zašto? Zamjerili ste se možda kolegama, medijima… zbog toga?
Naravno da se nisam zamjerio kad to svi misle. Kada sam rekao sterilna, mislio sam da nam fali drskosti u produkciji, tekstovima, aranžmanima. Mislim da je pobjeda Baby Lasagne na hrvatskom izboru pjesme za Eurosong to i potvrdila. To je dobar pomak. Mi u Hrvatskoj često moramo paziti na tekstove pjesama jer radio postaje i televizije to neće emitirati. O formatiranim radio postajama gdje komitenti odlučuju što će se puštati u njihovom oglašivačkom prostoru da ne govorim. I tu je naš najveći problem.

Kao frontman u bendu najviše ste ispostavljeni. Smeta vam to ponekad?
Ja sam već davnih dana naučio što je bend i što je timski rad. Kada si u grupi i kada si frontman, normalno je da privlačiš više pažnje. Grupa je kao jedan lanac,a frontman je malo sjajniji privjesak na tom lancu. Ja sam u grupi Vigor već jako dugo i sve mi je to normalno kao i mojoj ekipi. Svatko u bendu ima svoj posao i svoju zadaću. Moja zadaća je pjevati i svijetliti malo više od svih.

Prije dvije godine slavili ste okrugli rođendan. Bila je to za vas neka posebna preokretnica?
Godine ne brojim. Godine su samo broj, a dokaz tome što se ja osjećam kao da godine ne idu, kao da stoje. Čovjek se osjeća i živi onako kako se osjeća duhom. Svi starimo i to je neizbježan životni proces, ali ako se u duši osjećaš mladim i ako si pun životne energije, to se onda vidi i na van. Jako je bitno i s kime se družite. Kako postajem stariji, tako i biram ljude u svom životu. Prije nisam znao reći ne i sad je dosta. Kako sam to naučio ljudi su se u mom životu iskristalizirali i svako je na svom mjestu sada. Neki i dalje pored mene, nekima sam se zahvalio i zatvorio svoja vrata. Kada imaš prave ljude oko sebe i život ti postaje manje stresan i pun lijepih trenutaka.

Da li biste rekli, da se u kom smislu zbog toga mijenjate glazbeno? Sazrijevate i slično? Da li će zbog takvih stvari muzika, tekstovi,… Vigora biti možda u kom smislu drugačiji?
Apsolutno da. Ja sam stariji i zreliji, tako i moje pjesme zajedno sa mnom postaju zrelije, sa puno više zrelijih poruka u njima. Kada sam imao 35 godina, mogao sam pjevati Maro, Marija da si malo starija. Sada u četrdesetima da snimim takvu neku pjesmu bilo bi apsurdno i smiješno.

Več godinama svrstavaju vas među najpoželnije i naj seksi Hrvate. Jednom prilikom rekli ste mi, da se ne možete priviknuti tome. Priviknuli ste se do sada več? Kako inače gledate na takve oznake?
Ja sebe uopće ne doživljavam tako niti sam ikad to i prihvaćao. Ja za sebe smatram da sam zreo muškarac, svjestan sebe, svojih mogućnosti i svega oko sebe. Što znači biti sexy? To nema veze s izgledom, odijevanjem. Ono što je oku nevidljivo dolazi iznutra. To nema veze sa fizičkim izgledom. Biti sexy ne znači da je netko zgodan, a još manje lijep. Seksipil dolazi iz našeg zadovoljstva vlastitim životom, a onaj tko je ispunjen on jednostavno zrači nekom lijepom energijom. To je sexy.

Biti seks simbol vjerovatno nije uvijek najlakša ili zabavna stvar. Jednom ste mi ispričali, da vas obožavateljice štipkaju i na ne baš najprimernijim mjestima. Kako reagirate u takvim situacijama?
Hahahaha, to je vrlo rijetko moram priznati jer većina naše ženske publike je vrlo pristojna. A to je tako lijepa spoznaja.

Nedavno otkrili ste jednu od svojih tajni. Več godinama imate obrijanu glavu, što je jedan od vaših prepoznatljivih znakova. Sada ste otkrili, da glavu brijete jer ste prije nekoliko godina počeli gubiti kosu, što je dugo bilo nepoznato o vama. Za nekoga, ko je popularno javno lice, teško je pričati o takvim osobnim stvarima?
Naravno da mi nije teško. Pa nije biti ćelav kraj svijeta. Muškost ne dolazi s kosom niti muškost s njom nestaje. Ja kada sam počeo gubiti kosu sam vidio da to ne izgleda lijepo, već smiješno haha pa sam se iz tog razloga počeo šišati vrlo kratko. Ja sa gubitkom kose nisam izgubio na samopouzdanju već upravo suprotno. Dobio sam čak i više samopouzdanja jer sam shvatio i vidio da u tom izdanju sebi izgledam puno bolje. Često muškarci odlaze na transplataciju kose jer im je gubitak kose nešto strašno. Nije stvar u kosi. Stvar je u onome što se nalazi ispod nje.

Vigori spremate novi CD, uz to i LP gramofonsku ploču s najvećim hitovima. Zašto ste odlučili za LP?
Još smo u pregovorima oko toga, ali s obzirom kako je diskografija u svom zalasku jer se sve prebacilo na digitalni sadržaj odnosno streamnig paltforme na internetu, to je jedna ideja jer mislim kako grupa Vigor to zaslužuje. Pa zar nije cool imati svoj LP u današnjem modernom svijetu?

Ploče inače opet se vračaju u modu. Imate i sami kod kuče možda gramofon i ploče?
Moj tata je imao čitavu jednu kolekciju gramofonskih ploča, ja sam odrastao na njima i ako klincu mi je to bilo sasvim normalno i svi smo bili u čudu kada je izmišljen CD. Ploča ima neku svoju vrijednost i ljepotu, a mislim da je to nekako najviše zbog nostalgije i nekih ljepših vremena.

Kao frontman jedne od najpopularnijih hrvatskih grupa često ste u medijima, što u tom najmanje volite?
To je nešto što je normalno u ovom poslu i ako ste stalno u medijima to znači da ste interesantni, zanimljivi i da ljudi vole to što radite. Mi živimo u nekom drugom vremenu gdje je svatko gospodar svojih društvenih mreža i danas svatko pošto poto želi biti poznat, a za to zapravo uopće nema pokriće. Nekad si morao puno vrijediti da dođeš na televiziju i u novine. Danas to nije tako. Danas glupost prodaje sve i to me najviše smeta.

Sam ne sečam se nekog vašeg baš velikog skandala, ali svake toliko ipak, namjerno ili nenamjerno, volite isprovocirati s nekom izjavom, stavom,… Kako daleko idete u takvim stvarima?
Nisam tip od skandala niti me to zanima. Ne čitam trač rubrike tko je što jeo, kada je išao na wc, koga ljubi, tko je koga ostavio… Mene su moji roditelji cijeli život učili da gledam samo svoja posla a da me tuđi životi ne zanimaju. Kako ljudi mogu očekivati da će napraviti nešto lijepo i veliko u svom životu ako se bave tuđim? Oni koji to rade su samo nesretni i njima ne treba zamjerati. Nesretnom čovjeku ne zamjeraš samo ti je žao jer se nisu ostvarili niti na jednom svom životnom polju.

Dio privatnosti ipak čuvate za sebe i ne pokažete baš sve. Čega recimo nikad ne kažete ili ne bi rekli? Gdje sebi i za sebe postavite granicu?
Sve stvari iz privatnog života. To što smo mi javne osobe ne znači i da smo javni wc. Smatram da nikoga ništa ne bi trebalo zanimati osim naših pjesama. Ja sam pjevač i sav fokus treba biti na tome. Smatram da nije bitno kako mi izgleda sestra ili brat, otac ili majka ili moji prijatelji. Oni nisu javne osobe i njih želim zaštiti. Ja sam birao ovaj put, ne oni. Njihovi životi su potpuno drugačiji i to treba poštivati. Ja na svoje društvene mreže pazim što objavljujem jer su meni društvene mreže alat za moj posao. Ne objavljujem baš svaka privatna druženja i privatna putovanja. Zna se što je za javnost, a što ne. Zašto bi svi u svakom trenutku trebali znati što radim, gdje se nalazim, što jedem…

Foto: osobni arhiv

André Rieu je poznan kot kralj valčkov, saj s svojim orkestrom že leta z velikih in nezmanjšanim uspehom nastopa na turnejah po svetu. Nekajkrat je bil tudi v Sloveniji, kjer bo naslednjič nastopil letos novembra v ljubljanskih Stožicah in kjer ga označujejo med drugim tudi za ljubljenca občinstva.
Glasba in igranje sta njegovo delo in življenjski navdih, a glasba ni edina stvar v maestrovem življenju. Ko ni vaj in koncertov, rad poprime za kuhalnico, prav tako pa uživa na svojem domačem vrtu. Včasih pa ga lahko vidimo tudi kje in v vlogi, kjer si ga ne predstavljamo ravno najprej, a zato tem bolj prijetno preseneti. Eden takšnih dogodkov se je pripetil tudi v nizozemskem Limburgu. Sloviti maestro je sicer prišel nastopiti, obenem pa je pripravil presenečenje. To je sledilo po njegovem nastopu z orkestrom in mlado pevko Emmo Kok. Približno 2000 zbranim otrokom v dvorani so namreč pripravili hitri tečaj postopkov oživljanja.

Tečaj, ki povsod pride prav
Kombinacija nastopa in tečaja se morda komu na prvi pogled zdi nenavadna, Rieuju pa se ni zdela prav nič. Tudi sam je mnenja, da postopke oživljanja obvlada še vedno premalo ljudi, še kako prav pa pridejo kjerkoli in kadarkoli. Obvladanje omenjenega postopka rešuje življenja, saj je zelo pogosto tako, da o preživetju nekoga odloča prav ta spretnost kot vmesna vez do prihoda reševalcev.
Pritegniti pozornost tako velikega števila otrok ni bilo lahko, a z glasbo je šlo lažje. Prav poseben odziv pa je bil, ko se je med mladino v dvorani spustil tudi sam maestro. Tudi Rieu je je preizkusil, kako mu gre od rok oživljanje, s čemer je opogumil marsikaterega boječega in sramežljivega izmed otrok, da je pogumno preizkusil.
Rieu sicer prav tako poziva vse vlade ter šolske in izobraževalne ustanove, da to usposabljanje vključijo v svoje izobraževalne programe, saj je korist takšnih osvojenih znanj neprecenljiva. V dvorani se mu je pridružila tudi pevska gostja Ema Kok. Tudi sama je pokleknila k lutkam in poskusila, kakšno je oživljanje ponesrečenca. Kokova bo sicer tudi gostja na Rieujevem novembrskem koncertu v Stožicah v Ljubljani.

Foto: Marcel van Hoorn

With no doubt they are one of international sensations in the last years. From native Australia Umbilical brothers duo perform worldwide and their performances are high successful everywhere. This weekend, November 26^th, they will perform again in Slovenia. At this occasion we have spoken with Shane Dundas.

You perform under the name of brothers. Does anyone else still today believe you are brothers?
We still get asked “Are you guys actually brothers?”. My standard answer is “Not as far as we know, but the DNA test results haven’t come back from the lab yet.”

If I’m not mistaken, you will perform in Slovenia for the third time? In which country have you performed the most times?
Oh man I think we’ve been to Slovenia at least 5 times! We love coming back to the SiTi Theatre. Lovely people, nice crowd. Apart from Australia, I feel like we’ve performed most in the USA and the Netherlands. And maybe Sweden. It’s been a long time and about 40 countries so I can’t keep track.

They publish superlatives about you. You’re probably happy about it, but anyway. Are such superlatives for an artist, specifically speaking about you, also dangerous? Can one quickly fall asleep on one’s laurels because of them? Do they block the desire and need for new challenges?
Who doesn’t like a superlative? There have been some nice reviews over the years.  And some not so nice. It’s all opinion and taste isn’t it. The true test is on the night, with the audience. That is the challenge, every night. I guess we could coast on the praise but people have appreciated it when we’ve surprised them. If your head is in the right place the good reviews encourage you to keep going, rather than fall asleep at the wheel. And a restless brain never stops jumping around in your head, for better or worse.

The performance The Distraction is also described in superlatives. If I ask you an ungrateful question: How satisfied are you two with The Distraction? Is it on stage and on the screen what you envisioned in the idea?
I don’t think any of us is totally satisfied with the show, and in fact that’s an impossibility.  We’re different people with different perspectives and we like different things in it. The overall concept (a live green-screen performance, where the audience has 2 places of focus to choose from) is what we envisioned. But inside that is the craziest mashup of ideas. It’s grown through a lot of playing around, to the point where it’s not a thing we could have imagined.  

Similar as all things, humor changes too. How do you two see it? Is it hard to be a comedian these days?
I think most comedians would agree there are challenges in terms of cancel culture, if that’s what you’re referring to. It doesn’t tend to happen with us but there are artists who intentionally cross lines and break taboos. It’s part of their art and they’re usually making a point. And then there are performers who are ready and waiting to shock, and watchers ready and waiting to cancel. In an ideal world intelligence and common sense on both sides would help defuse that battle. Humor changes but people will always need to laugh. We all need it, especially now. It’s a public service. 

You have several imitators. What do you think about them?
Give me their names and addresses! Generally we’re not aware of imitators. They say it’s the sincerest form of flattery, and I like the idea that what we’ve done could inspire someone to create stuff. Direct copying isn’t so hot.  Inspiration and imitation is often part of a young comedian’s journey to their own unique comedic voice. You need to grow beyond that to become you. And it’s more fun, trust me. Ultimately, if you can’t come up with your own shit then what’s the point? Who are you?  

What about the competition?
There’s competition? Jesus. We don’t think about that notion, maybe because we’re unique in our own country and don’t need to. If you mean other comics who do physical stuff, that’s great. It’s just more fun stuff for the world to enjoy. Also, we’re not at the top of the comedy tree so it’s not like we’re fighting to stay up there.

Many, if not most, artists are perfectionists. How about you two?
I think we’re both perfectionists in different ways, in terms of what ideas or aspects of performance are important to us. It’s a really good mix. I have become less concerned about perfection these days, and more into going with the flow, no matter how perfect or imperfect the detail is. That’s partly because something often goes wrong technically during the show, and we’ve just gotta go with it. Otherwise you go insane.

There are different things, techniques and more in your repertoire. You probably also have some secrets about how you invented and developed something?
No special techniques, at least not consciously! It’s basically about imagining funny stuff that tickles your brain and playing around with it. Riffing on ideas isn’t a special technique. The actual challenge is arranging all the silly stuff into something that flows for an audience, for the duration of the show. I think we may be less professional than you imagine. For example, some people think we’re serious, well-trained mimes. We did about 2 weeks of mime training in theatre school.

Do things get patented in your business?
I don’t know, if you wrote a script you could copyright it, but it’s hard to patent things that aren’t described in words. And would it stop people from copying it in some far-off land where they don’t know the original stuff? We did a TV gig in China, and some of the other acts were clearly copying people we knew of.

I guess patents are not always an easy thing to do in a business like yours. I just remembered of the case of the actor Alfonso Ribeiro, who initiated legal proceedings for copying and unauthorized use of the so-called Carlton dance from the series The Prince of Bel Air. He claimed it was his invention and patent and property. As far as I remember, he lost the case in court. What’s your experience with special effects and things like that?
That’s crazy. And funny, just thinking of the courtroom scene. I don’t think this show has been imitated yet, but it probably will be. The only difference here is that Doug Bayne, our amazing and eccentric co-creator on the show, has invented a lot of the mad visual effects stuff you’ll see. Good luck reproducing that. Jesus, your questions about imitators, competition, and now patenting…is there something you need to tell me?

Many singers and actors who perform and work around the world have told me in interviews that the most tiring part of their work is traveling. What about you two?
True that. Especially coming from Australia. We’re far from everywhere. I love the places we get to, but getting there.… It took over a day to go from my front door to our first location on the tour.  And from gig to gig we’re carrying so much equipment for this show. By the end of this tour we’re either going to be super-fit, or dead. Or both.

Most people know you as UB. How is with your acting? Is there any time for that? With all your performances as UB, do you have the time and desire for a film or theater project?
We do find time to do other stuff, and there is a desire for it. It’s possible to make gaps in our Umbilical schedule for other projects. I’ve acted outside of our duo and done solo stand-up. David’s a talented actor who’s wanted to act from day one. Last year he worked on a big film that you’ll all see next year.  I mean big! I can’t wait to see what he does onscreen. With any luck I’ll also appear in it for about 10 seconds.

You are actors, a performers,… Are you tempted or have you ever been tempted by some other film or theater field? For example, write a script? Bring director? Production?
Definitely. Years ago we were heavily involved in the creation of a childrens’ TV series we made with Sesame Workshop, from concept through to writing and acting. We even had input on editing. That was hard work but fun. So it’s not a new idea. David’s very driven and is always trying to create or be part of a creative thing, wherever the opportunity arises. I actually wanted to be a film director when I was a kid. That sensibility has informed my perception and approach to our work. I’ve only recently thought about bringing my experience to directing and creative and work with new and different people. I’d like to try that.

I already mentioned that you will perform in Slovenia for the third time. Have you met any Slovenian colleagues so far?
We’ve met some very cool people at the SITI after the shows. We always catch up with Uroš, the artistic director, and some of the other groovy kids who drop in, and it’s always a pleasure. It’s an honor to have other artists check out our work.

They mark you as a unique phenomenon. Because of this and the fame, what is your private life like? Do you have it? Is it hard to have?
We’re not that special. Private life isn’t hard at all.  At one point we would get recognized or stopped quite a lot, but that’s died down. I live away from the action, a very normal life. David’s in Sydney so he gets a little more attention, but again, it’s fine. People don’t hassle us, or even care much these days. That’s one of the perks of getting older.

Photo: personal archive

Television and film actor, singer, author…, Carlos Ponce visited Slovenia last week for the first time. He impressed many fans and especially female fans during his visit when they had a chance to meet him in person, ask different things and take photos with him.

Just as Ponce charmed the viewers, he and his wife were charmed by Slovenia. She was visiting with him. They traveled to Slovenia from Turkey, where they have been filming a reality show for the last month and a half. The experience was also special because this was the first time they were together and participated in a project.

He’ll be back for cream cake
Although there was not much time and the visit schedule was very full, the Ponce couple nevertheless took some time to see Ljubljana and visit Gorenjska region, part of Slovenia. In the capital, they saw old Ljubljana and they also visited Bled. The visit to the pearl of Gorenjska was a coincidence. The weather forecast was good, so they and the organizer decided to go near the mountains. The star who lives in Miami was more interested in the Slovenian mountains than the sea, and Bled is one of the points of Gorenjska that is perfect for visits by mountain lovers. The visit to Gorenjska was of a private nature, Ponce did not meet anyone. He and his wife were on the island, where they also rang the bell, as is the local tradition, and they also walked around the lake. They and the Slovenian team also stopped in one of the restaurants to try famous Bled cream cakes. The couple liked the place, which is why they came up with the idea of ​​buying a puzzle with the image of Bled as a souvenir.

Good Slovenian food
During his visit, Ponce also wanted to try some typical Slovenian food. He liked kranjska klobasa and prekmurska gibanica the most. They did not go to the Slovenian coast because they ran out of time, but the couple received a gift from the Sečovlje salt pans from the organizer. As he summed up his impressions, Ponce really liked it in Slovenia. He even learned a few Slovenian words for good day, how are you, good,… When saying goodbye, he also said on behalf of both he and his wife that they would return to Slovenia.

During his visit to Slovenia he also took a chance to say hello to readers of Estrada.si

Photo: CP management
Video: Estrada.si

On 3^rd February in Slovenia’s capitol Ljubljana will for the first time perform one of the most famous tenors on the world, Joseph Calleja. Artist from Malta with the voice and interpretation for which many believe is very similar to great Pavarotti, talks in interview for Estrada.si web magazine.

We are doing our interview at the last minute, just before your concert in Ljubljana. Your schedule is full, you are in America, probably tired and there are also a few hours time difference, however we managed to reconcile. Are you always so professional?
Its the life of an opera singer, made harder by Covid restrictions, many of which are completely silly. The pandemic has become endemic, at least in the several countries were vaccination uptake is high. I hope for everyone’s sakes that the various authorities realise.

You will perform in Ljubljana. Do you know any of your Slovenian colleagues? Have you performed with anyone before?
I have encountered some very beautiful voices from Slovenia along the years. Looking forward to performing with more.

You have recently sang in a duet with your daughter. Were you just a father or also a singing colleague, an educator?
When you are a good father, you have to be everything. Children are born perfect, it’s the parents job not to damage them as much as possible.

Do you think that your daughter might one day follow your footsteps into the world of music? Would you like any of your children to go to the opera?
My children like to go to the opera occasionally. My daughter is studying music, albeit in the pop world. I try not to impose my art on them, after all they have to hear me singing all the time.

Mario Lanza was your big idol, you also recorded a record with the songs he sang. Have you ever wanted to star in a movie about him? You’ve played Caruso already. By your opinion, would the role of Lanza be ideal for you?
My role of Caruso was very small and just a nice Cameo. I think that a movie about Mario Lanza is not needed – his life was a movie and we have plenty of footage of him in his various and great movies.

There is a recording of your duet with Bocelli on the internet. Have you ever considered recording an album of duets with opera colleagues?
I have collaborated with colleagues but never for a duo album. Good idea! Andrea is a good friend and of the greatest and complete artists of our generation.

You also sing Strangers in the night, which is one of Frank Sinatra’s most famous songs. Some believe it is dedicated to Ava Gardner, who was his wife. Have you ever recorded such a confessional song yourself? Dedicated to a woman? How is to sing a song that became world famous in the performance of another singer? Is this a big challenge?
I love Sinatra and Strangers in the night can be anything to anyone. Yes, I definitely am guilty of having some songs that remind me of some people in my past.

There are some world-famous opera stars in the generation before yours. Alagna, Safina, Frangoulis, Bocelli,… It doesn’t seem to be as much competition in your generation.  
There are great voices coming out – Freddie De Tommaso, Jonathan Tetelman, just to mention 2 great tenors with a bright future.

Years ago, Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo made a big boom in opera with their trio. Why doesn’t anyone else do such things? Would you join to such a project?
I have mixed feelings about this. I prefer to be involved in something different, after all, who can top what they have achieved? They were fantastic as a trio, and the Great Pavarotti, is truly missed.

What is the position of opera today, especially in connection to young public?
Now that I have been singing for 25 years I think that, generally speaking, Opera is in decline. We need to focus more on young people, and make the arts important again in schools.

As a singer you are in your best years. How do you rate your voice, colleagues, competition?
The only competition is with myself – I can be my biggest enemy or my biggest friend.

New generations of singers are coming. In your opinion, is it easier or harder for them to succeed in opera today than it was for your generation for example?
Hard question – today opera is less popular than before, and to find jobs is also harder. A situation only made harder by Covid.

Your two foundations help singers from socially disadvantaged situations to study. You yourself are also a singing educator. How are you different from the educators you had during your studying years?
I raise money for young artists, I don’t teach yet. Teaching is a very serious and responsible matter and my career doesn’t allow me the time to teach yet.

In one of your interviews you said an interesting thing. You said that you achieved things too quickly or too young. Why? And do you still think so?
I started when I was 19 – my voice is intact and I never damaged it. But some roles and recordings I would have done better if I waited 5 – 8 years. Still, I have no regrets, as opportunities must be taken when they come.

You are the cultural ambassador of Malta, one of the directors of the European academy of Music Theater. Do you ever feel tempted to go into politics one day? For example as Minister of Culture?
Never say never, but so far I have no intention to pursue politics.

You are opera super star, in private you have two children. Is it difficult to have a family and be famous face the same time? Is it hard to have a privacy and to take children away from media, fans?
I behave the same with everyone. In the end opera singers are not movie stars etc.

Do you have any hobbies, pet,…?
Too many! I love dogs, cats, have 2 aquariums. I also love scuba diving, trekking and perhaps my biggest love – wine from St emilion. My friend and wine guru, Michael Fermier Tabone, has introduced me to the amazing world of Bordeaux. Too bad I cannot drink it whilst I am on tour!

Photos: Andrew Borg