Siti displays true star power in London

Siti displays true star power in London

Choi Tuck Wo, The Star/London

Siti Nurhaliza took London by storm with a dazzling
performance at the Royal Albert Hall last Friday. The pop diva
was in her element as she captivated the 2,500 near-capacity
crowd with her charm and ethereal voice during the two-hour
concert. Considering that the singing sensation had just
recovered from a sore throat, the 120 minutes of solid
performance spoke volumes of her extraordinary talent.

No wonder Siti has been nicknamed the "Celine Dion of
Malaysia" by no less than three BBC radio stations for her
powerful voice. The pop princess effectively combined the fiery
vocals of Celine with the stunning elegance and beauty of lyric
phrasing of Saloma, yet another Malaysian legend.

The result was a power-packed show bursting with melodically
fluid and deeply emotional songs of love.

Crooning effortlessly, the 26-year-old Kuala Lipis lass
endeared herself to her fans with her gorgeous melodic style.
Despite it being her debut performance at the prestigious venue,
Siti displayed immense maturity.

The promotional posters's depiction of her as Asia's best-kept
secret hardly did justice to her singing prowess judging from the
successful performance. Immediately after the concert, Siti was
sounded out for a special return concert, as well as a possible
appearance at a United Nations-sponsored show in the UK.

The speed with which concert promoters have recognized Siti's
amazing talent is quite stunning. As Royal Albert Hall chief
executive David Elliott puts it: "Siti is an extraordinary
talent. She has a great voice and good rapport with the
audience."

Elliott, who watched the concert right through to the end,
noted that some performers might have fantastic voices but lacked
stage presentation.

"Siti has both. She is very relaxed," he said, adding,
however, that the singer should do more cover albums to cater to
an international audience.

After all, her rendition of British singer Oleta Adam's hit
song Get Here -- the only English song out of her repertoire of
over 22 Bahasa Malaysia numbers for the London show -- received
thunderous applause all round.

Ably supported by the 34-member London Symphony Orchestra
under the baton of Erwin Gutawa, Siti's rich vocals reverberated
throughout the 134-year-old hall. With a voice as mesmerizing as
her beauty, the audience was captivated by her natural demure and
courtly moves on stage.

One moment, she would be crooning melodramatic love songs with
spellbinding effect; the next she would be grooving to non-stop
up-tempo joget medley hits.

Apart from her vocal talent, Siti also displayed an uncanny
humility, thanking all those -- from corporate bigwigs to the
sound engineers and lighting men -- who had ensured the concert's
success in one way or another.

"I wish to thank my family for their support," she said, as
she gestured toward a section of the audience where her father
Tarudin Ismail and mother Siti Salmah Bachik and several siblings
were seated.

Gazing down at her shoes, she smiled politely and thanked
Datuk Jimmy Choo ("for my shoes") and then pointed to her
jewelry saying "and Habib Jewelers too".

Not only did Siti sing from her heart, she also displayed
excellent rapport with her fans, who were lapping up all she
could offer.

There was one poignant moment when she dedicated a song
Percayalah which she wrote and composed herself especially for
her fans.

"Many of you have sacrificed a lot to come to London to watch
my concert. Some have pecahkan (broken) their savings boxes or
saved for a long time to come here. I thank you with all my
heart," she said.

Clad in a white shimmering gown, Siti started off the night
with her vocals alone filling the hall with her popular hit
Dialah Di Hati. After an initial silence, the fans began to warm
up to the singer's brand of eclectic but distinctly unique music.

During the first segment, the fans were treated to a medley of
joget as well as top hits such as Cindai, Mahligei Permata and Ya
Manlai. The ease with which she switched from slow to hot numbers
such as Ku Milik Mu, Cinta Tak Berganti and Debaran Cinta had the
fans clamoring for more.

Siti kicked off the second part of the show with Zapin Budi
accompanied by a traditional music group under Pak Ngah Suhaimi,
followed by favorites such as Nirmala and a folk medley.

After a 20-minute break, the 34-member London Symphony
Orchestra struck up several popular Malay hits. Sixteen dancers
from Yayasan Warisan Johor put up a spirited performance, adding
a touch of glamour to the proceedings.

Chants of "Encore" and "We Want More" were heard from the
crowd as Siti belted her last song Seindah Biasa. This prompted
her to return and deliver a slow medley before rounding off the
night with Cindai.

It was certainly a night that all Malaysians can be proud off
-- thanks to Malaysia's singing envoy. Deputy Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak aptly described Siti as "the country's
national treasure" when he urged Malaysian students to attend her
concert during a visit to Manchester recently.

Judging from the thunderous applause from the audience, which
included the Sultan and Sultanah of Pahang, Najib's wife Datin
Seri Rosmah Mansor and 27 members of the Brunei royal family,
it's obvious that Siti is poised for greater success.

Photo Caption:

Concert executive chairman Ahmad Fadzli Yaakob (left) presents a
souvenir to David Elliot as Siti Nurhaliza looks on.

Siti Nurhaliza meeting fans at the end of her concert at the
Royal Albert Hall in London.