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AFP Features Malaysia's pop princess aims for international stardom with London gig Sun Mar 27,10:26 PM ET KUALA LUMPUR, (AFP) - Malaysian pop princess Siti Nurhaliza (news) Taruddin once dreamed of being a policewoman, but instead of capturing crooks she now captures hearts and is hot in pursuit of international stardom. AFP Photo   The pretty 26-year-old Muslim popster will perform at London's Royal Albert Hall on April 1, becoming the first Malaysian and third Asian artist after Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar and renowned sitarist Ravi Shankar to hold a solo concert at the famous London venue. The concert, where Siti will be backed by the London Symphony Orchestra and some of Asia's top musicians, marks a new chapter in a career that has transformed a smalltown girl into a national icon and a household name in the Malay archipelago. "It will be my first step onto the global stage and April 1 is symbolic. The show date is the same date my first album -- "Jerat Percintaan" (Love's Trap) -- was released 10 years ago," she tells AFP in an interview. "I look at it as a chance to test international waters. I feel like I am starting all over again." The rapid rise to fame for Malaysia's poster girl reads like a fairy tale. Born to a policeman father and a housewife mother in the sleepy town of Kuala Lipis in Pahang state, Siti is the fifth of eight children and grew up wearing hand-me-down clothing and helping the household budget by hawking homemade delicacies to her schoolfriends. She may not have a glamorous pedigree but she inherited her singing talent from her mother, a traditional singer who performs at weddings and police events. At the tender age of six, Siti was already entertaining her peers in school with traditional hits and began entering local singing contests when she was 12. But singing was not her first love during childhood. "I had wanted to become a policewoman because I like challenges, I enjoy rugged activities," she says, flashing her famous wide-screen smile. It is hard to imagine the soft-spoken, doe-eyed singer, who is unabashedly feminine, as a gun-toting officer. But, she says coyly: "I may be soft, but I'm firm." Destiny, however, had other plans for her. At the age of 16, Siti won a 1995 television talent contest that put her career on a rocket launcher. Her debut album was released the same year and she now has a total of 14 Malay albums in her bag, offering a wide repertoire of mainly love songs -- from ballads, R&B (Rhythm and Blues), and pop to traditional -- that appeal to a wide spectrum of society. Siti has garnered legions of adoring fans in neighbouring Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore, and has been voted by MTV Asia as the region's favourite Malaysian artiste for four consecutive years. She is a familiar face in television commercials and government campaigns and was crowned "Teen Princess" by the ruling United Malays National Organisation. The post office named her "Malaysia's Stamp Princess" for the tens of thousands of fan letters she receives each year. Siti has won so many local and regional accolades that she set a local record for being the artist with the most number of awards -- more than 100. Siti's appeal -- apart from her honeyed voice -- comes in large part from her wholesome, girl-next-door cuteness that strikes a chord with the region's large Muslim population which frowns on sexy foreign artists. She does not wear the Muslim headscarf, but dresses in a conservative modern style. There is no hot-blooded performance on stage and Siti is seen as good, clean entertainment, winning approval even from Indonesia's influential religious preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar, who called her a "gift from God". When Indonesian activists earlier this year staged anti-Malaysian riots amid a bilateral row over territorial rights, a commonly heard slogan was: "Crush Malaysia, but save Siti Nurhaliza". "If we have talent, we don't need to be sexy to be popular," Siti says when asked how she planned to win over Western fans. "I don't have to be someone else to be the best in the industry. I am confident in the music that I bring and in my singing." She names Canadian songster Celine Dion (news) and Barbra Streisand (news) as her idols. The ambitious pop star is hoping to release an English album. She is already planning for her next concert in June in Perth as well as for a traditional concert in Kuala Lumpur next year. But fame comes at a price, as Siti has discovered. She became the target of hatemail last year, alleging she had artificially enhanced her beauty and indulged in sex romps. The disparaging e-mails were sent to entertainment journalists and later widely disseminated. The nation was agog when veteran diva Sharifah Aini Syed Jaafar, 51, was hauled to court in December for allegedly slandering the popster, who dethroned her as the country's most popular singer. Sharifah Aini, who started singing at the age of seven and released some 77 albums throughout her 35-year career, pleaded not guilty to the charge of defamation. The trial is ongoing. "I don't want to think about it. Of course I am disturbed by the case but I try to take it professionally," Siti says. Love still eludes her, but she says she is too busy to worry about it. Who is her ideal mate? "Maybe Superman, Clark Kent," she says, laughing. Is she looking for a hero? "No, a man with a good heart is more important. Having inner beauty, that's what I search for." Siti says her production house also hopes to produce a movie this year but remained vague about her plans to venture into celluloid. "If I feel I am ready, I may also try out acting," she says. Perhaps Siti will get her wish after all to become a policewoman -- in reel life LONDON, Apr 1:

“You must queue up, then everyone will get the chance to take a photograph with Siti and get her autograph.” Emcee Mahadzir Lokman’s voice was almost drowned out by the 400 students trying to greet Siti Nurhaliza at the Malaysian Student Department (MSD) in Queensborough Terrace here. Siti fever is definitely gripping London. The word, or rather SMS and e-mail, spread within hours of the announcement about the sale of half-price concert tickets and Siti making an appearance at the MSD on Wednesday evening. That was the last chance for fans in London to meet Siti before her Royal Albert Hall concert later today. Architect Yusof Zainal, who was in London for work, couldn’t resist the offer. “£35 (RM252) for a seat in the Arena area is a bargain. The view should be good too,” he said. Accountancy student Nairah Hisham, who bought a full price ticket two months ago said whatever amount she paid will be worth it. “I have always liked Siti Nurhaliza but I have never been to her concert. Now, when I have the chance, it is in the grand Albert Hall,” she said. Almost 100 tickets at £30, £35 and £40 were sold at the MSD that evening. About 100 tickets were sold during the two-day promotional event at Oriental City shopping centre in Colindale last weekend. So far, 70 per cent of the 3,400 tickets have been sold. MSD director Dr Syed Raisudin Syed Abdullah congratulated Siti and her team for making it to London and said Malaysians in Britain were proud of her. The crowd cheered for Siti as the singer smiled coyly and invited the students to her concert, to support her and to raise the spirit for everyone. “You must have been doing well to be here, to study at the university here. My contribution is to bring Malaysia’s music and image here,” she said. Siti even treated the crowd to a song, Seindah Biasa, from her latest album and had them screaming for more. For over an hour Siti signed posters, tickets and had photos taken with her fans, comprising mostly of Malaysian students, workers and children. Twenty winners of a contest in Malaysia, who were rewarded a trip to London for the concert, were also at MSD. What is it about Siti that made the fans adore her so much? “Her voice, her looks and her mannerism. Everything about her is beautiful, she is practically perfect,” said teacher Nor Sinaran Cahaya Dolkefflee from Kuala Lumpur. “To be here, to see her and to go to her concert in London is a dream come true,” said avid fan Noraziah Abdul Aziz, who was so overwhelmed that she cried when she saw Siti Nurhaliza that evening. Another fan, Nur Quratuanini Sima Mohd Sofian from Kuala Lipis, Pahang, said she even climbed on stage during one of Siti’s concerts in Malaysia. “I love everything about Siti. I can’t stand people saying bad things about her,” said Nur who sent 200 SMSes for the competition. An information officer at the Malaysia High Commission, Revi Pilla,i said he still remembers going to the Royal Albert Hall in 1989 when the late Sudirman Haji Arshad performed at the Salem Music Awards. “I went to see Sudir with other Malaysian friends. It was such a great atmosphere. “We were so proud. This week we are going to see this amazing young lady performing at the same hall. It will just be wonderful,” he said

Malaysian students get half-price offer to watch Siti's concert

LONDON: Malaysian students received a pleasant surprise when they were offered a 50% discount for tickets to watch the Siti Nurhaliza concert today.  

Concert executive chairman Ahmad Fadzli Yaakob broke the news to more than 300 students during a meet-the-fans session with the pop princess at Malaysia Hall on Wednesday.  

While most students broke into applause at the huge discount, a few were dismayed as they had already bought the tickets.  

Fadzli said he had received hundreds of e-mails and SMS messages from Malaysian students requesting for a special discount to enable them to watch Siti's debut at the Royal Albert Hall.  

“Due to the overwhelming requests, we have decided to slash the £80 (RM560), £70 (RM490) and £60 (RM420) tickets by 50% specially for students,” he said.  

Among those present at the event were concert patron Senator Datuk Yaakob Mohammad, Malaysian Students Department director Dr Syed Raisudin Syed Abdullah and Siti Nurhaliza Productions general manager Khairul Azmi.  

Fadzli also announced that part of the proceeds from the concert would go to the National Tsunami Fund. 

He said this would be in addition to the RM25,000 already set aside for the fund from the concert’s ticket sales in Malaysia.  

ON CAMERA: Malaysian students in London grabbing the opportunity to take pictures of Siti during the meet-the-fans session at Malaysia Hall on Wednesday.

Later, Siti urged the students to support her concert “not just for my sake” but also for the good of the music industry in Malaysia.  

“Just as you all have excelled in academic studies, I pledge to give my best performance so that we can all be proud as Malaysians,” she said to applause from her fans.  

She then obliged her fans by belting out a popular number, Seindah Biasa, which is one of the top singles from her latest album Prasasti Seni.  

Armed with digital cameras and camcorders, many students took the opportunity to snap pictures and record their idol even as they formed long queues to get her signature on posters for her concert, tickets and other souvenirs.  

Among the fans was Constance Lim, who had flown in from Kuala Lumpur to visit her son Max Lim, who is studying in a London college.  

“We’re looking forward to Siti’s concert as we are all her fans,” said Constance as she and her son, along with his friend Jennie Shee queued up to meet the popular singer.  

For Afifah Jaafar and Safurah Abu Bakar, both studying at University of Surrey, they were enthralled by Siti’s vocal talent and beauty.  

Madihah Ahmad Farid, who will be watching the performance together with 10 other students from University of Durham, believes that the concert would be Siti’s stepping stone towards international stardom saying that she was a fantastic singer.  

Berita Nasional -

Pelajar dinasihat guna bakat, kebijaksanaan

“Siti berkecimpung dalam bidang seni sejak kecil telah diberi kebolehan serta bakat untuk menyanyi.

“Jadi, Siti harap pelajar yang mempunyai kebolehan dan kebijaksanaan akan menggunakan apa yang ada pada mereka untuk mencapai kejayaan dalam kerjaya dan hidup,” katanya di Dewan Malaysia semalam yang sesak dengan peminatnya.

Beliau yang akan menjadi penyanyi pertama Malaysia membuat persembahan solo di Royal Albert Hall, hari ini mengadakan latihan bersama penari Yayasan Warisan Johor di dewan berkenaan sebelum turun menemui peminat.

Dianggarkan lebih 400 orang memenuhi dewan untuk mengambil gambar, mendapatkan autograf dan mendengar nyanyiannya.

Seorang peminatnya, Siti Radiah Nasruddin, berkata rakyat Malaysia termasuk di luar negara berbangga dengan pencapaian penyanyi itu dan menjadi inspirasi untuk mencapai kejayaan.

“Kejayaan Siti mendorong kami untuk mengejar cita-cita supaya berjaya sepertinya, kami bangga dan mahu memberi sokongan kepadanya di konsert itu nanti,” katanya.

Dahniah Adi Safri dari Leeds berkata, beliau tidak mahu melepaskan peluang untuk menyaksikan konsert berkenaan.

“Saya menyertai rombongan anggota masyarakat Malaysia di Manchester dan Leeds untuk memberikan sokongan dan menyaksikan konsert Siti,” katanya.

Selain itu, 21 daripada 30 pemenang pertandingan SMS yang diterbangkan oleh syarikat SNP untuk menyaksikan persembahan idola mereka.

Antara mereka ialah Nur Quatuaini Sima yang menjadi peminat Siti sejak di sekolah rendah, bekerja keras mendapatkan wang membeli cenderamata Siti untuk membolehkannya menyertai pertandingan SMS itu.

“Apabila mengetahui menang saya amat gembira. Saya tak fikir ada yang dapat menggantikannya. Tak mungkin dalam masa yang terdekat ini," katanya.

Pada sesi ramah mesra itu, Siti tidak mengecewakan peminatnya dengan membawakan lagu Bukan Cinta Biasa.

Mahadzir Lokman yang menjadi pengacara terpaksa bertungkus-lumus menenangkan peminat yang tidak sabar untuk bermesra bersama penyanyi itu.

Hiburan

Siti Nurhaliza - Dari Kuala Lipis ke kota London

Daripada SAHARUDIN MUSTHAFA (Yang membuat liputan konsert solo Siti Nurhaliza di London)

Siti Nurhaliza berbincang dengan Fadzli (membelakang kamera) dan Mahadir Lokman (duduk kanan) mengenai konsert solonya malam ini.

LAZIMNYA kita hanya mendengar cerita-cerita hebat penghibur-penghibur popular dunia mengadakan persembahan di Royal Albert Hall, London.

Kita juga sering mendengar cerita angan-angan sebilangan besar penghibur dunia lain yang menyimpan keinginan dan cita-cita untuk beraksi di dewan yang sudah menyaksikan lebih 150,000 persembahan berlangsung di situ.

Tetapi malam ini, ia bukan lagi igauan bagi satu-satunya penyanyi tersohor negara, Siti Nurhaliza.

Siapa sangka penyanyi yang suatu ketika dahulu pernah mendapat jolokan penyanyi kampung kini melalui transisi yang sangat gemilang dengan mengadakan persembahan di dewan tersohor dunia itu.

Dari Kampung Awah, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Siti kini berada di kota metropolitan Inggeris untuk menyahut cabaran seni yang sekali gus meneruskan tradisinya melakar satu lagi catatan manis yang akan menjadi kebanggaan seluruh rakyat Malaysia iaitu dengan mengadakan persembahan solo di sini.

Signifikannya persembahan Siti pada malam ini ia tiada kaitan dengan usikan April Fool sebaliknya, hari ini genap sedekad usia penglibatan Siti sebagai penyanyi.

Lebih manis lagi, ia juga bakal mencatat rekod baru Siti sebagai artis Melayu pertama beraksi secara solo di Royal Albert Hall.

Dewan termasyhur itu juga kini meraikan ulang tahun ke-134 dewan gah itu yang jatuh pada 29 Mac lalu.

Usaha yang dirintis oleh Siti menerusi syarikat produksinya Siti Nurhaliza Productions Sdn. Bhd., (SNP) dengan kerjasama Putrade Property Management Sdn. Bhd., menyaksikan kerjasama akrab dua anak muda yang tidak pernah menjadikan faktor usia untuk menawan dunia.

Tanpa tajaan daripada sektor korporat, konsert ini harus diteruskan juga demi mengangkat martabat kesenian bangsa Malaysia di mata orang asing.

Barangkali tidak ramai daripada kita yang menyedari misi ini menuntut Siti, 26, yang menerajui SNP sementara Putrade Property pula diwakili Ahmad Fadzli Yaakob, 27, berdepan dengan kerenah birokrasi dan pandangan skeptikal orang Inggeris terhadap orang-orang Asia.

Namun, berbekalkan iltizam dan keinginan untuk menyenaraikan nama negara di peta kesenian global semua itu diharungi oleh Siti dan Fadzli dengan semangat Malaysia Boleh.

Profil

``Bukan mudah sebenarnya untuk meyakinkan pihak pengurusan Royal Albert Hall terhadap kemampuan penyanyi Malaysia untuk beraksi di sini. Namun, syukur profil seni Siti membuka mata orang di sini,'' ujar Pengerusi Eksekutif konsert tersebut, Fadzli individu yang bertanggungjawab merealisasikan cita-cita Siti beraksi di Royal Albert Hall.

Peluang Siti mengadakan persembahan solo di sini juga ujar Fadzli, membuka pintu untuk artis-artis Malaysia khususnya dan artis-artis Asia umumnya untuk mengadakan persembahan di dewan yang sama pada masa depan.

Sebelum ini, artis Asia lain yang pernah `diterima' oleh pengurusan Royal Albert Hall ialah pemain sitar terkemuka dunia, Ravi Shankar dan penyanyi legenda India, Lata Mangheskar. Ini juga bermakna nama Siti akan tertulis dalam sejarah sebagai penyanyi nombor tiga dari Asia beraksi di situ.

``Syukur, mimpi Siti menjadi kenyataan. Sukar untuk Siti menggambarkan perasaan Siti ketika ini. Semua ini Siti lakukan semata-mata untuk memperkenalkan muzik Malaysia ke mata dunia,'' ujarnya pada pertemuan dengan Utusan Malaysia di kota London, kelmarin.

Siti juga tidak menolak hakikat mengadakan persembahan di Royal Albert Hall merupakan usaha yang menuntutnya berdepan dengan risiko yang sangat tinggi apatah lagi andai kata tidak ramai warga tempatan yang menontonnya.

Namun, bagi Siti, dia tidak melihat persoalan itu sebagai halangan kerana apa yang lebih utama ialah misinya untuk memastikan irama muzik Malaysia bergema di dewan yang selama ini tidak pernah menerima kehadiran muzik Melayu.

Tepat pukul 7 malam ini (pukul 2 pagi waktu Malaysia), misi Siti di kota London tiba pada kemuncaknya.

Dia akan diiringi oleh sekumpulan pemuzik Orkestra Simfoni London, sekumpulan pemuzik Malaysia dan Indonesia serta penari-penari Yayasan Warisan Johor dalam persembahan selama dua jam.

Doa

Segala persiapan sudah dilakukan Siti khususnya persiapan mental dan fizikal. Kini apa yang Siti perlukan daripada seluruh peminatnya serta rakyat Malaysia ialah mengiringinya dengan doa agar konsert solo itu berjalan dengan sempurna.

``Siti sangat bersyukur andai peminat dan rakyat Malaysia mendoakan yang terbaik untuk Siti,'' pintanya.

Kisah anak seni dari Kuala Lipis ke kota metropolitan London ini tidak berakhir dengan persembahan solo di dewan itu.

Ia hanya permulaan baru untuk Siti ke peringkat global dan selepas ini, kita pasti cabaran Siti untuk meneroka pasaran yang lebih luas dan lebih sukar.

Tetapi kata Siti, dia mahu menjadi srikandi yang tidak gentar menyahut cabaran dan kerana itu dia mahu merentasi segala halangan demi mencapai kepuasan sebagai anak seni.

 

Dalam Negeri

Ikrar Siti Nurhaliza

Daripada SAHARUDIN MUSTHAFA

LONDON 31 Mac - Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin yang akan mengadakan persembahan solo di dewan berprestij, Royal Albert Hall di sini malam esok berikrar akan menggunakan kemahiran seni yang ada padanya untuk terus memasyhurkan nama negara.

``Siti tidak seperti pelajar Malaysia di sini (London) yang cemerlang dalam bidang akademik.

``Kelebihan Siti mungkin dengan kemahiran seni dan kerana itu Siti berikrar akan terus menggunakan bakat Siti untuk membawa nama negara ke peringkat yang lebih cemerlang,'' kata penyanyi itu di hadapan lebih 300 rakyat dan penuntut Malaysia pada majlis ramah mesra anjuran Jabatan Penuntut Malaysia di Malaysia Hall di sini, semalam.

Siti memberitahu, dia sangat terharu kerana dapat merealisasikan harapan rakyat Malaysia untuk memperkenalkan muzik tempatan ke peringkat global,'' katanya.

Katanya, sokongan padu yang ditunjukkan rakyat dan penuntut Malaysia sangat memberi makna apatah lagi dia sendiri sukar membendung perasaan takut untuk menghadapi detik paling penting dalam sejarah kerjaya seninya yang berusia 10 tahun.

Selain itu, Siti sangat gembira kerana ayahnya, Tarudin Ismail dan ibunya, Siti Salmah Bachik sudah tiba di sini untuk memberi semangat kepadanya.

Sementara itu, Pengerusi Eksekutif konsert berkenaan, Ahmad Fadzli Yaakob pula memberitahu, sehingga semalam penjualan tiket konsert solo Siti di dewan berprestij yang berusia 134 tahun itu sudah 70 peratus terjual.

Pihak pengurusan Royal Albert Hall juga kata beliau, membenarkan penganjur konsert solo Siti iaitu Putrade Property Management Sdn. Bhd., dan Siti Nurhaliza Productions Sdn. Bhd. Menawarkan potongan harga tiket sehingga 50 peratus khusus kepada penuntut Malaysia.

Pihak pengurusan dewan itu kata Siti, memperuntukkan 300 keping tiket daripada jumlah keseluruhan 3,400 tiket yang dijual.

Konsert solo Siti di dewan termasyhur dunia ini mencatat sejarah tersendiri bagi industri hiburan tempatan kerana ini kali pertama penyanyi dari Malaysia beraksi di sini dalam sebuah konsert solo.

Siti Nurhaliza all set for concert From Zaharah Othman in London Mar 30:

HER performance at the Royal Albert Hall on April 1 will mark a new milestone in her quest for international acclaim. Malaysia's pop princess Siti Nurhaliza said that after a concert at such a prestigious venue, it was important that she maintained a high standard and quality of performance, "I am not worried about the preparation for the concert. I have practised with the help of Mahadzir Lokman, Fazley Yaakob and dancers from Yayasan Warisan Johor, and we have had post-mortems to make sure that everything goes well for the night. All I have to do now is look after my health," Siti Nurhaliza told a Press conference of British and Malaysian media. Siti Nurhaliza arrived in London last week nursing a cold. She was interviewed by the BBC World Service last week. Last night, she met members of the British media at an informal gathering at the Mango Tree, a Malaysian-owned restaurant in Belgravia. She had a series of one-on-one interviews with journalists from IN London magazine and the BBC World Service programme Everywoman. Before the concert, BBC World will be interviewing Siti Nurhaliza and filming her rehearsals with her dancers. CONFIDENT: Siti Nurhaliza speaking during the Press conference. With her is Mahadzir (left) and Fazley. According to Fazley, vice-president of the Putra World Trade Centre, the concert organisers, representatives of British record companies will also be attending the concert together with members of the local Press. Earlier he told those present, which included officers from the Malaysian High Commission and Tourism Malaysia in London, that despite the brief time available for promotion, ticket sales had been encouraging, especially after the singer's weekend appearance at Oriental City to meet her fans. "We have sold more than 2,000 tickets," he said. Fazley did not not hesitate to add that the discounted tickets sold during the weekends were very limited and available only to fans who wanted Siti Nurhaliza's autograph. At the box office, the price is still the same. Siti Nurhaliza added she was most encouraged by a message from former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that she should not worry about ticket sales and concentrate on giving her best performance. It is rumoured, but unconfirmed, that Tun Mahathir will attend the concert. The singer spoke of her plans for the future, which include a mini concert in Perth, a trip to Sarajevo and also Aceh. Siti's Nurhaliza's parents will also be present during the performance. Current Rank:3.7 Edisi Nasional: Siti ingat pesanan Dr Mahathir Daripada Zaharah Othman LONDON: Mengimbas kembali 10 tahun menceburi bidang seni suara, penyanyi nombor satu negara, Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin, berkata dia bersyukur kerana kerjayanya berjalan dengan begitu licin sejak mula memenangi satu pertandingan nyanyian dulu. “Pada masa itu Siti bertanding dengan nama-nama terkenal dan kejayaannya terus dari situ,” katanya. Mengimbas zaman dia mula berjinak dengan dunia yang penuh pancaroba, Siti memberitahu dia bersyukur mendapat galakan dan dorongan daripada ramai penyanyi terkenal yang sememangnya sudah berjaya seperti Ziana Zain dan Aishah. “Kak Ziana dan Aishah memberi nasihat dan bimbingan, jangan buat itu dan ini, kerana Siti masih baru,” katanya, yang juga bersyukur dengan sokongan diberi orang terdekat di sekelilingnya. Siti berkata demikian selepas sidang media dan pertemuan dengan anggota media British di Restoran Mango Tree, di sini, semalam. Pada sidang media itu, Siti yang ditemani Mahadzir Lokman yang akan menjadi pengacara konsert solo Siti di Royal Albert Hall dan Fazley Yaakob daripada Putra World Trade Centre, berkata dia berazam mengekalkan mutu persembahannya di Albert Hall sebagai tapak permulaan peningkatan kerjayanya di arena antarabangsa. “Selepas membuat persembahan di satu tempat yang begitu terkenal seperti Albert Hall, penting bagi Siti kekalkan mutu persembahan,” katanya. Siti memberitahu, dia tidak risau sama ada dewan itu penuh atau tidak kerana seperti pesanan Tun Mahathir Mohamad, apa yang penting ialah dia menumpu perhatian kepada persembahan yang terbaik pada malam itu. Menjawab soalan mengenai persiapannya, Siti berkata dia tidak begitu risau kerana sudah membuat latihan, simulasi dan `post mortem’ untuk memastikan segalanya berjalan dengan baik. Sebelum konsert solonya malam esok, latihan Siti akan dirakamkan BBC World. Menurut Fazley, yang menganjur konsert solo Siti di Royal Albert Hall, wakil daripada syarikat rakaman British akan hadir untuk melihat sendiri kebolehan Siti dalam bidang seni suara. Terdahulu, Fazley berkata, memandangkan tempoh begitu singkat yang diberi untuk promosi konsert Siti, sambutan terhadap jualan tiket sangat memuaskan. Lebih 2,000 dijual dan promosi pada hujung minggu di pusat beli-belah di utara London, Oriental City menunjukkan hasil terutama harga tiket diberikan potongan. Menurut Fazley, potongan harga hanya diberi kepada peminat yang datang menemui Siti pada kedua-dua hari berkenaan, apabila Siti menyanyi dan bergambar dengan peminatnya.

- Berita Nasional -

Siti janji persembahan terbaik

SITI NURHALIZA bersama Mahadzir Lokman (kiri) dan Fazley
pada sidang media di London,semalam.

Siti gayakan rekaan Michael, Radzwan

SITI dan Fazley menolak
troli ketika diKLIA sebelum
berlepas ke London,
malam Rabu lalu.

Namun ada satu semangat yang memberi kekuatan kepada penyanyi itu. Tiada lain, kecuali mengharumkan nama negara dan mengangkat muzik tempatan di persada antarabangsa.

Dalam getar kebimbangan, Siti berharap rakyat Malaysia mendoakan Konsert Siti Nurhaliza di Royal Albert Hall di London mencatat kejayaan, sekali gus membuktikan anak Melayu mampu menyahut cabaran membanggakan nama negara.

Siti ketika ditemui di Lapangan Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA), Sepang, malam Rabu lalu, mengakui dirinya sudah bersedia membawa cabaran itu.

Walaupun kurang sihat kerana menghadapi selsema, dia berazam memberikan persembahan terbaik sebagai memenuhi impiannya mengangkat warisan seni muzik Melayu di luar negara.

“Siti paling bimbangkan kesihatan. Tetapi Siti yakin menjelang 1 April, keadaan kesihatan Siti akan pulih sepenuhnya. Dari segi persembahan, Siti tidak begitu bimbang kerana memang sudah bersedia. Begitu juga dengan penerimaan, Siti tidak mahu terlalu memikirkan perkara itu. Siti yakin ia akan mencapai sasarannya. Pinta Siti, semua rakyat mendoakan kejayaan Siti supaya dapat menjalankan tanggungjawab ini dengan baik,” katanya.

Baginya, konsert itu terlalu bermakna buat Siti kerana tarikh berkenaan adalah klimaks pembabitannya selama 10 tahun dalam bidang seni suara. Siti berlepas ke sana sambil ditemani abang dan kakak iparnya, Saiful Bahri (Ayie) dan Rozie Abdul Razak. Turut bersama, Pengerusi Eksekutif konsert berkenaan, Fazley Yaakob serta komposer dan pengarah muzik, Pak Ngah.

Sepanjang dua jam konsert berlangsung Jumaat ini, Siti akan menggayakan empat persalinan rekaan Michael Ong dan Radzwan Razwill, di samping bertemu pereka kasut Malaysia yang mencipta nama di London, Datuk Jimmy Choo.

“Siti akan menggayakan sepasang kasut rekaan pereka itu. Siti akan bertemunya petang sebaik tiba di London,” katanya.

Siti Nurhaliza set to take London by storm

BY CHOI TUCK WO

LONDON: Besides reaching the pinnacle of her dreams, singing sensation Siti Nurhaliza will carry the hopes of Malaysia’s music industry when she makes history with her debut at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday. 

And the 26-year-old pop princess has vowed to do her country proud by unleashing her best ever performance over a decade-long career.  

With the promise of an international audience beckoning, she gave her reasons for wanting to go all out to impress. 

“My concert will give non-Malaysians the opportunity to appreciate Malaysian songs, music and dances. I hope the Malaysian community and their British friends in the UK will come and give me their full support,” she said before making a special appearance to promote her “Siti Nurhaliza In Concert” event held at the Oriental City Complex in Colindale over the weekend.  

Judging from the turnout of over 400 people, Siti, who belted out hits from her latest albums and later obliged autograph seekers, appears set to create waves here.  

Also performing was the 16-member Yayasan Warisan Johor, which entertained with a medley of traditional numbers concluding with the famous “Malaysia, Truly Asia” promotional theme song. 

GLAD TO OBLIGE: Siti signing autographs for the big group of Malaysian fans who turned up to see her at the Oriental City Complex in Colindale.

Discounted concert tickets for Siti’s coming show at the prestigious hall were snapped up by the crowd, and this has got the singer, who described the opportunity as her “most meaningful gift” so far, excited to the brim. 

During her two-hour concert, she will be rendering hits from her first to 10th albums, plus traditional numbers. Siti will also later perform in Perth, Australia. 

The concert’s executive chairman, Ahmad Fadzli Yaakob, said more than half the tickets at the 3,410-seater hall had been snapped up.  

Tickets for the 7pm show are priced from £20 (RM140) to £120 (RM840).  

The 34-piece London Symphony Orchestra will back Siti with Malaysian musicians providing the percussion back-up.  

Siti will be the third Asian artiste, after Lata Mangeshkar and sitarist Ravi Shankar, to perform solo at the Royal Albert Hall.  

 Dalam Negeri -

Siti jadi tumpuan peminat di London

Daripada Zaharah Othman

SITI memberi persembahan diiringi penari Yayasan Warisan
Johor di London.
LONDON: Penyanyi nombor satu negara, Siti Nurhaliza yang bakal mengadakan konsert sulungnya di Royal Albert Hall, semalam tampil menemui peminatnya di sebuah pusat beli-belah di Oriental City, di Utara London.

Dalam kemunculannya yang pertama untuk menemui peminat sejak tiba di kota raya ini Khamis lalu, Siti tidak duduk diam, sebaliknya sibuk membuat promosi konsert solonya itu dengan menawarkan potongan harga tiket untuk persembahannya, Jumaat ini.

Peminat yang menunggu sejak waktu makan tengah hari lagi di pusat beli-belah itu, tidak kecewa apabila penyanyi idaman mereka itu memberi persembahan khas, diiringi penari Yayasan Warisan Johor -kumpulan penari yang mengiringi lagu tradisionalnya di Royal Albert Hall nanti.

Bagi Norshah Ahmad yang sudah 17 tahun bermastautin di London, mengakui dirinya peminat setia Siti Nurhaliza.

“Kepulangan saya ke Malaysia selalunya tidak sama dengan masa Siti mengadakan persembahannya. Jadi, saya mengambil peluang ini untuk menyaksikan persembahannya dan memberinya sokongan saya.

“Saya akan membawa lima orang kawan dari sini,” katanya yang gembira mendapat autograf penyanyi itu.

PEMINAT tidak melepaskan peluang mendapatkan tanda tangan Siti.
Siti yang baru pulih dari selesema, tidak mengecewakan peminatnya yang mahu bergambar dan meminta autografnya.

Pengarah Tourism Malaysia di London, Razip Hassan, berkata persembahan Siti di Royal Albert Hall bukan saja menunjukkan kekayaan muzik Malaysia, tetapi pentas menampilkan keunikan budaya menerusi cara persembahan, pakaian dan kain tenunan yang digunakan nanti.

Sejak tiga hari berada di London, Siti padat dengan jadual dan dia juga ditemu bual Bahagian Indonesia Perkhidmatan Dunia BBC.

Bagaimanapun, Siti tetap meluangkan masa untuk berehat dan menyesuaikan diri dengan suasana yang berbeza, termasuk dari segi persiapan mental

 

 

Siti takes time off for fans From Zaharah Othman in

MALAYSIA'S singing sensation, Siti Nurhaliza, caused quite a stir in a quiet corner of north London yesterday when she made her first appearance since her arrival for her solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall on April 1. Siti Nurhaliza took time off from her busy schedule practising for the big day to meet her fans and carry out promotional work for the concert when she turned up at the Oriental City Mall in Colindale. The darling of Malaysian pop music was mobbed by fans who had waited for her since lunchtime. Although the singer was advised not to strain her voice before the concert, she still delighted her fans with a song. Her fans were also treated to a traditional dance performance by the Yayasan Warisan Johor. Siti performing in London. The troupe will also accompany Siti during her Royal Albert Hall concert. After arriving on March 24, Siti had also given a radio interview to the BBC World Service. The shopping centre was also packed as fans, made up mostly of students, rushed to buy tickets for the concert offered at half price. A fan, Norshah Ahmad, who has lived in London for the past 17 years, said: "I am a fan of Siti Nurhaliza and because my visits home never coincided with her concerts, I am delighted with this opportunity. "I am also bringing five friends with me," she said. London Tourism Malaysia director Razip Hassan said Siti's concert would showcase not only Malaysia's music but also its culture and beautiful costumes. Current Rank:3.6 5-High 1-Low

STYLE FILE: Siti’s dressed to thrill Sofianni Subki Mar 28:

Songbird Siti Nurhaliza is set to dazzle the audience at Royal Albert Hall in London on Friday with not just her voice but her made-to-order attire as well. SOFIANNI SUBKI reports. AS we wish Siti Nurhaliza good luck for her upcoming inaugural performance in London on Friday, our thoughts inevitably wander to the subject of clothes — what will she be wearing on this momentous occasion? Well, for starters, batik. After all, what fabric can better help Siti enhance her image as Malaysia's No.1 songbird? And who better to transform batik into dazzling stage costumes than celebrated local designers Radzuan Radziwill and Michael Ong? Radzuan, who was still busy putting his finishing touches on two long kebayas, two long dresses and two songket jackets at the time of this interview, said he had only been given two weeks to sew the clothes. “Everything was done in a rush,” he said. “Siti chose the batik from two collections, Yusof and Azizi Batik. Then we worked on the designs. After that came the fittings.” Ong with a lilac dress in black netting. Known for his creations that exude feminine elegance, Razduan’s pieces for Siti come in strong, bold colours. The appreciation of such shades is characteristic of Asian cultures. First, there is a long kebaya made of French netting that is heavily embroidered. This is paired with an A-line floral batik sarong skirt. Very sweet. Very Siti. Then, there is an enchanting lime green long kebaya made of French lace that is matched with a green batik sarong adorned with pink sequinned flowers. Radzuan putting on his finishing touches to a lime green lace long kebaya. Next come the dresses. A long yellow chiffon dress boasts striking shadow appliqué, beaded tassels and patchwork. The bottom of the dress features geometrical batik motifs. The second dress is heavily embroidered with small flowers in purple, blue and red. Its layered sleeves give a fairy-like feel and create movement. A long dress heavily embellished with beads and applique work and a short songket jacket with a Mandarin collar. The smart short songket jackets are for Siti to wear to Press conferences and other important events such as a luncheon at the Malaysian embassy. “The songket is from Terengganu,” said Radzuan. “One is in turquoise blue and white while the other comes in brown, maroon and beige.” Siti is scheduled to sing in four segments that include orchestral and ballads. Her final repertoire will feature a medley of some 30 songs. She is expected wear the creations of Ong for the opening and orchestral segment. Ong’s specially-designed outfits include a pretty white tiered dress embellished with tassels and crystals. “As you can see, the cut of this dress is kebaya-like,” he said. White was deliberately chosen as the colour would stand out under Royal Albert Hall’s sophisticated lighting. Then, there is a grand lilac crepe satin dress with black netting. It comes with sequins and a squarish neckline. “This dress is perfect for her,” said Ong, who has worked with Siti since the start of her career 10 years ago. “I wanted a dress that was classy, glamorous and reflected Siti’s innocence and sweet persona.” A pink pant suit with kebaya top is another of Ong’s costumes. It features a batik adorned collar with tassels. Finally, there is a light yellow chiffon dress with a two-tone tie dye effect. The bottom of the dress has a touch of batik, its motif embroidered with satin and crystals. Jimmy Choo Couture high heels are expected to adorn Siti’s dainty feet. Rumour has it that Habib Jewels will have her decked in breathtaking bling-bling. “The dresses, combined with her beautiful voice, will make an unforgettable impact,” said Ong. . sd . Music is miracale..... THE unusually warm weather in London spells a good start for Malaysia’s top singer, Siti Nurhaliza, as she begins her visit to London for her solo performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday. Taking in the fresh air, after a few English chips and tabasco sauce, the singer prepared to take in London with her team by embarking on the London tour bus around the city. “Now that I am here, I have to prepare myself mentally for the performance. It’s a different crowd, different atmosphere. Also, I have to look after my health. I am recovering from a cold,” said Siti, looking fresh and excited after a 13-hour flight from Malaysia without the slightest sign of jetlag. Walking along the streets of London, the singer was besieged by excited fans who recognised her. She readily agreed to sign autographs by the roadside and to have her pictures taken with them. The singer and her production team from SNP and members of Putra World Trade Centre, the company which is presenting her, had earlier visited the BBC World Service, where she was interviewed by producer Yoko Sari from the Indonesian Service. With a big fan base in Indonesia, Siti took the opportunity to appeal to the listeners by saying that she hopes music can help to heal whatever rifts there are between Malaysia and Indonesia. “Music is a miracle and I hope that it will bring people together. I will still want to go back and sing in Indonesia,” said the singer. This was in response to the producer’s question, drawing her to talk about political issues affecting the two countries presently. There was a spate of demonstrations in Indonesia against Malaysia recently but many too voiced their loyalty and support for their idol, Siti Nurhaliza. Speaking in fluent Indonesian accent, Siti cleverly dodged questions about love. “You sing and write songs about love. Have you yourself found love?” asked Yoko. It was a friendly banter, full of laughter, and Siti showed that she had enough practice to dodge the question on everyone’s lips. “Yes, I have found love. I have found love in my career and I love the people working with me. As for the love, well, I have not given it any serious consideration.” Sunday Mail 27 Mac 2005   SITI KINI TEMUI CINTA . sd . “Mahu mencungkil rahsia, ya?” LONDON: Walaupun kini beribu-ribu kilometer dari tanah air, penyanyi popular, Siti Nurhaliza masih dihantui soalan sama — sudahkan dia menemui cinta sejati? Siti yang tiba di sini dua hari lalu untuk persembahan solonya di Royal Albert Hall pada 1 April ini, diajukan soalan itu ketika ditemu bual Siaran Dunia BBC oleh producer Indonesia, Yoko Sari. “Mahu mencungkil rahsia, ya?” balas Siti yang memang biasa diajukan soalan yang sering bermain di bibir peminatnya. “Ya, Alhamdulillah, Siti sudah menemui cinta. Cinta dengan kerjaya Siti dan juga dengan orang yang sekeliling Siti. “Namun, buat cinta yang dimaksudkan anda, saya belum lagi memberi pertimbangan serius mengenai perkara ini,” katanya. “Apakah ada bakat baru yang bakal mengambil tempat Siti?” tanya Yoko. “Bagi Siti, kalau kita rasa kita bagus, ada orang yang lebih bagus, dan kalau kita rasa kita hebat, ada orang yag lebih hebat. Itu lumrah hidup. Memang ada penyanyi baru yang akan membawa kelainan, persembahan berbeza daripada yang sedia ada,” kata Siti. Penyanyi 26 tahun yang kelihatan gembira melayani soalan Yoko yang diselangi gurauan itu, menjadi serius apabila menjawab mengenai nasib penyanyi. “Dalam perjalanan hidup sebagai anak seni, memang ada banyak dugaan. Memang ada tanggapan negatif terhadap anak seni. Namun, Siti percaya apa yang kita lakukan bergantung kepada diri kita sendiri. Apa yang kita lakukan mestilah jujur dan ikhlas,” katanya. Siti serta pasukannya dari SNP serta rakan niaga Putra World Trade Centre yang diiiringi Naib Presidennya, Ahmad Fadzli Yaakob, yang sama-sama menganjurkan persembahan solo ini, tiba di sini dua hari lalu untuk persiapan konsert yang sekali gus merayakan ulang tahun ke-10 kerjaya Siti dalam dunia hiburan. Yoko juga bertanya mengapa Siti menyambut hari ulang tahun di London dan bukan Malaysia? “Siti sudah banyak membuat persembahan dan tour di Malaysia. Dan semestinya Siti akan pulang dan membuat lebih banyak persembahan. Namun, Siti rasa Siti ingin mencuba pasaran antarabangsa dan dengan itu Siti datang ke London. Ini tapak pertama bagi Siti,” katanya. Yoko juga mengalih perhatian Siti kepada isu politik, di mana hubungan antara Indonesia dan Malaysia terjejas baru-baru ini sehinggakan ada tunjuk perasaan di Indonesia. Namun, dalam keadaan kemarahan terhadap Malaysia, ramai juga penyokong membawa sepanduk mengatakan mereka masih sayangkan Siti. “Siti tak pernah rasa takut dan ragu-ragu untuk pergi membuat persembahan di Indonesia. Bagi Siti, muzik ialah satu keajaiban yang akan menyatukan kita semua,” katanya sambil menambah, dia masih ke Indonesia untuk membuat persembahan, berikutan peminatnya ramai di negara jiran itu. Siti mempersembahkan sebuah lagu di dalam studio di Bush House untuk peminatnya di Indonesia, lagu berjudul ‘Bukan Cinta Biasa’ yang akan dimainkan dalam rancangan Info Muzika. Selepas temu bual itu, Siti dan kumpulannya mengambil kesempatan cuaca indah di London untuk bersiar-siar dengan bas pelancong bagi menikmati keindahan kota ini. Kehadiran Siti menarik perhatian ramai, terutama peminat dari Malaysia yang menghampirinya untuk mendapatkan autograf dan gambar kenangan. Seorang daripada mereka ialah Siti Nurafidah, pelajar MA di London School of Economics yang akan ke Royal Albert Hall untuk menyaksikan persembahan idolanya. Siti berkata, sambutan terhadap jualan tiket sangat menggalakkan. Sebuah wakil pelancongan, Sri Sutra Travels, akan membawa 200 orang dari Malaysia dalam satu pakej lawatan dan konsert. SNP juga akan membawa 30 peminat yang dipilih untuk menikmati persembahan ini. “Saya juga menghargai galakan dan sokongan rakan artis seperti Anuar Zain, Juliza Adlizan dan Chef Wan yang akan hadir bersama rakan dan keluarga mereka,” katanya. Metro Ahad 27 Mac 2005     AIM TO BE THE BATTLE OF THE DIVAS . sd The clash of the divas saw Siti, Ning Baizura and Misha Omar – in a three-cornered fight in three categories KUALA LUMPUR: Siti Nurhaliza, the reigning queen of Malay pop, topped the final nominations for the 12th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) when finalists in 18 categories were announced yesterday. However, it was not all good news. The clash of the divas saw Siti, Ning Baizura and Misha Omar – in a three-cornered fight in three categories. The multiple nominations meant that Siti will only be competing in five categories with double nominations in the Best Vocal Performance In An Album (Female) for her studio album, Prasasti Seni, as well as her Siti Nurhaliza Live In Concert 2004 recording, and triple nominations in the Best Musical Arrangement In A Song category with Dialah Di Hati and Seindah Biasa off Prasasti Seni and Bagaikan Sakti with M. Nasir from the Puteri Gunung Ledang soundtrack. Her other three nominations were for Prasasti Seni in the Best Pop Album and Best Album Cover, while Dialah Di Hati is up for Song Of The Year. Ning Baizura, who lost out to Siti but topped her best of six nominations in last year's AIM, will also be competing in five categories with double nods for Awan Yang Terpilu and Senang Tari in Best Music Video. The title track of her album, Erti Pertemuan and Awan Yang Terpilu were also nominated for Song Of The Year. Ning's three other nominations are for Best Vocal Performance In An Album (Female), Best Album Cover and Best Pop Album. Meanwhile, Misha Omar will only have a clear field from Siti and Ning in the Best Engineered category for her Aksara album. Her other nominations – in Best Vocal Performance In An Album (Female), Best Pop Album for Aksara, as well as Pulangkan for Song Of The Year – will go head-on with the two divas. Sharing Misha's count of four nominations were Zainal Abidin, Spider and newcomers Disagree, while fellow greenhorns Vince and Juwita Suwito grabbed three a piece. Others who got two nominations each included Gerard Si- ngh, Anita Sarawak, giants Rabbani, Raihan, RuffEdge, D-VA, Noraniza Idris, Iklim, Exists, Gerhana Ska Cinta and Indonesian rock outfit Sheila On 7. Reality TV talent search show Akademi Fantasia featured in a big way, apart from Vince's (the winner of Season One) nominations which included for Best New Artiste, with five former ‘graduates' of the show taking all five spots in the Most Promising Artiste line-up. Season Two winner, Zahid, earned a spot, along with Farah, Bob, Nana and Sahri. AIM 12 will be held at Dewan Merdeka in the Putra World Trade Centre on April 30. ISU TIADA PENAJA TIDAK JEJAS FOKUS SITI . sd ...fokusnya hanya satu, mahu menonjolkan persembahan di tahap maksimum... HARI ini, Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin akan berlepas ke kota London bagi merealisasikan impiannya sekali gus memenuhi harapan rakyat Malaysia untuk melihat seorang lagi anak tempatan ‘menakluk’ dewan berprestij Royal Albert Hall. Namun hingga ke saat ini pihak Putrade Property Management Sdn Bhd (Putrade) dan Siti Nurhaliza Productions Sdn Bhd (SNP) masih menanti sumbangan penaja yang sudi meringankan kos pemergian rombongan penyanyi berkenaan ke sana. Begitupun, masalah berkaitan soal penajaan langsung tidak menjejaskan persediaan apatah lagi menggoyahkan semangatnya untuk memberikan hasil terbaik di konsert yang bakal menjadi tumpuan masyarakat luar negara itu. Wakil SNP yang juga pengurus Siti, Rozie Razak berkata, hingga ke hari ini belum ada kata putus daripada mana-mana pihak tetapi pihaknya sentiasa mengalu-alukan sokongan dan sumber kewangan syarikat korporat biarpun selepas konsert berakhir. “Setakat ini sudah ada pihak yang datang berbincang, cuma keputusan sama ada mahu menaja atau sebaliknya belum kami terima. Walau apa pun kami tetap berusaha mendapatkan kerjasama penaja biarpun hingga detik hari konsert berlangsung. “Cuma Alhamdulillah, tumpuan Siti tidak terganggu dengan perkara ini kerana fokusnya hanya satu, mahu menonjolkan persembahan di tahap maksimum. Latihannya juga berjalan lancar, begitu juga persediaan lain,” katanya ketika dihubungi Persada Seni. Menyentuh mengenai persediaan, segala latihan sudah berakhir sejak Ahad lalu dan sementara menanti tarikh penerbangan ke kota London, Siti dapat merehatkan badan selama dua hari selain membuat persiapan akhir dari segi penyediaan bagasi. “Siti akan pergi bersama rombongan pertama hari ini yang turut disertai enam wakil SNP, manakala Fazley (Yaakob) selaku wakil Putrade akan mengepalai rombongan ini. Seramai 22 penari Yayasan Johor turut sama dalam rombongan pertama. “Dari segi pemilihan lagu, konsep persembahan dan koreografi tarian, segala persiapan dan latihan diadakan di Kuala Lumpur. Pada siang hari sebelum konsert pula Siti akan berlatih dengan London Orchestra,” katanya. Ditanya desas-desus pihak kerajaan meminta beberapa syarikat gergasi menghulur tajaan kepada SNP dan Putrade berhubung konsert berkenaan, kata Rozie dia belum menerima sebarang perkhabaran mengenai perkara ini. Namun, jika benar apa yang diperkatakan, kedua-dua syarikat yang mahu merealisasikan impian berkenaan amat terharu dengan sokongan itu tambahan pula soal penajaan amat penting untuk memastikan konsert ini bergerak lancar. “Kita tidak tahu apa yang berlaku di kemudian hari. Cuma kami nampak pihak kementerian serius mahu melihat acara yang julung kali membabitkan penyanyi Malaysia ini mencapai matlamat dan sasrannya,” katanya. Berita Harian 23 Mac 2005   . sd "...I’m doing my bit to bring Malaysian music to the rest of the world..." 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. Malay Mail 22 Mac 2005 SITI TERKILAN MISI LONDON GAGAL PIKAT PENAJA . sd KETIKA penyanyi nombor satu negara, Siti Nurhaliza, menghitung hari dalam debaran menantikan saat bersejarah berlangsungnya konsert pertama anak Malaysia di Royal Albert Hall, London, pada 1 April ini, dia rupa-rupanya turut menyimpan rasa terkilan di hati. Apa tidaknya, pada saat dia berusaha keras membawa nama negara pada peringkat antarabangsa menerusi persada seni, usaha yang berlandaskan bakat suara dan muziknya itu tidak dipandang selayaknya syarikat korporat. Konsert Siti Nurhaliza di Royal Albert Hall mungkin belum cukup meyakinkan pihak penaja untuk turut sama merealisasikan impian anak gadis dari Kuala Lipis itu untuk meletakkan nama negara pada tahap yang tinggi dalam arena seni muzik antarabangsa. Seni, mungkin bukan bidang yang dilihat syarikat korporat sebagai satu usaha yang juga dapat memartabatkan nama negara pada peringkat tertinggi dan membuka mata dunia. Namun begitu, Siti tidak berputus harap kerana konsertnya tetap akan berlangsung di dewan yang penuh berprestij itu. Dia sedar, bukan calang-calang penyanyi yang mampu menjejakkan kaki di pentas yang terkenal di seluruh dunia itu. “Ada dua rasa dalam diri Siti pada ketika ini. Siti rasa amat gembira kerana ini adalah usaha anak tempatan untuk membawa nama negara ke peringkat tertinggi menerusi seni muzik. Namun, pada masa yang sama Siti berasa terkilan apabila usaha ini kurang mendapat perhatian daripada sesetengah pihak (penaja). “Jika bidang lain seperti sukan sering kali mendapat bantuan sewajarnya apabila mereka bertanding di luar negara, maka apa salahnya bidang seni juga diberi peluang yang sama? Kedua-duanya adalah untuk memartabatkan nama negara. “Begitupun, Siti akan meneruskan perjuangan Siti dalam bidang ini dan merealisasikan konsert Siti di sana,” katanya pada sidang media selepas menjemput wartawan dan pihak media menyaksikan latihan yang diadakan olehnya di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra, baru-baru ini. Pengerusi Eksekutif konsert itu, Fazley Yaakob, mendekati syarikat besar dan korporat sebaik saja mereka mendapat pengesahan tarikh berlangsungnya persembahan. Namun, hingga ke hari ini, tiada jawapan pasti diberikan oleh pihak yang dihampiri. Bagaimanapun Putrade Property Management Sdn Bhd dan Siti Nurhaliza Productions yang bertanggungjawab menganjurkan konsert sempena 10 tahun pembabitan Siti dalam arena seni suara itu tidak pernah berhenti berharap dan walau pun apa juga keputusannya, konsert berkenaan akan tetap berlangsung seperti dijadualkan. Malah, jualan tiket kian memberangsangkan dua minggu sebelum berlangsungnya konsert. Itulah trend pembelian tiket di sana dan perkara itu sudah pun dijangkakannya. Siti dan kira-kira 60 anggota rombongan yang terbabit dalam konsert berkenaan bakal bertolak ke kota London pada 23 Mac ini bagi mengadakan beberapa siri promosi terakhir di sana sebelum muncul di hadapan lebih 3,000 penonton di dewan berkenaan pada 1 April depan, pada konsert yang dijangka berlangsung selama dua jam, bermula jam 7 malam itu. Kira-kira 30 lagu, petikan album pertama hingga ke album Prasasti Seni akan dialunkan penyanyi berusia 26 tahun itu. Dia akan diiringi pemuzik moden seperti Aubrey Suwito, Andrew Michael Peterson, Steve Thornton, Ramli Mohram, James Wilson, Gregorg Bonaren Lyons, Jason dan Kesavan, manakala Swakarya pula mengiringinya untuk irama tradisional di bawah pimpinan Pak Ngah. Pengarah muzik untuk konsert terbabit adalah Roslan Aziz, manakala Erwin Gutawa pula bertindak sebagai pengarah orkestra. Siti juga akan disokong muzik London Symphony Orchestra. Seramai 16 penari Yayasan Warisan Johor turut memeriahkan segmen irama tradisional Siti pada konsert berkenaan, yang bakal menyaksikan Siti menggayakan busana rekaan pereka tempatan, Michael Ong dan Radzuan Radziwill. Persembahannya di dewan berprestij itu pastinya membuka mata peminat dan penggiat muzik antarabangsa, dan itulah yang sememangnya diharapkan Siti sendiri. Namun, artis wanita yang sudah pun menawan Indonesia, Singapura serta Brunei itu mengaku, dia tidak perlu menukar imej dan menjadi orang lain untuk memastikan kejayaan pada peringkat antarabangsa. “Cara Siti akan tetap dikekalkan. Bagaimana orang kenal Siti selama ini, di sini dan di Indonesia, begitulah Siti selamanya. Siti tidak perlu menjadi orang lain dalam mengejar kejayaan. Siti yakin, dalam penampilan dan cara Siti sekarang, Siti bawakan sekali unsur kemelayuan. Kalau Siti nak tukar jadi seksi pun, Siti tahu ada yang lebih seksi dari Siti. Jadi, biarlah Siti kekalkan penampilan sekarang. “Tetapi, apa saja pembaharuan yang Siti rasakan dapat membantu mempertingkatkan kerjaya Siti, pasti Siti tidak abaikan,” katanya yang akan turut menyampaikan sebuah lagu Inggeris dendangan asal Oleta Adams, Get Here, pada konsert itu nanti. Konsert Siti di London itu akan dirakamkan penganjur dan pada waktu ini perbincangan masih diadakan berkenaan hak tayangannya di stesen televisyen tempatan. Kata putus mengenai penjualannya dalam bentuk VCD juga masih ditunggu pada ketika ini. Berita Harian 22 Mac 2005 Dah Depan Mata: BUKAN MUDAH MELAKAR SEJARAH . sd Apabila Siti selesai mengadakan konsert, namanya akan tercatat di peta acara dewan itu bersama lebih 150,000 persembahan lain yang pernah diadakan di situ... SAYA sekadar mampu melahirkan rasa kagum mendengar cerita daripada mereka yang menyaksikan Konsert Force Of Nature di Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, Jumaat lalu apabila menyaksikan kebanjiran bintang terkenal Hollywood dan Asia. Difahamkan, lebih 60 selebriti antarabangsa diterbangkan dari London, Los Angeles dan New York menerusi tajaan Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS). Antaranya Backstreet Boys, Boyz II Men, Black Eyed Peas, Eric Benet, Lauryn Hill, Jackie Chan, Datuk Michelle Yeoh, Paula Abdul, Ken Watanabe, Clay Aiken dan N’Sync. Ternyata tsunami turut membawa rahmat kepada rakyat Malaysia kerana memberi peluang menyambut kedatangan kalangan bintang terkenal yang mungkin tiada hasrat menjejakkan kaki ke negara kita sebelum ini. Bagaimanapun, atas dasar amal mereka sanggup. Dalam satu cerita lain, kesian membaca luahan penyanyi tanah air, Siti Nurhaliza mengatakan betapa sukarnya mendapatkan tajaan untuk konsertnya di Royal Albert Hall, London pada 1 April ini. Bagi Siti, peluang mengadakan konsert di tempat prestij itu bukan sekadar satu pencapaian tertinggi bagi kerjaya seninya tetapi juga satu niat murni untuk melakar nama Malaysia di luar negara melalui muzik. Apabila Siti selesai mengadakan konsert, namanya akan tercatat di peta acara dewan itu bersama lebih 150,000 persembahan lain yang pernah diadakan di situ. Siti juga adalah penyanyi kedua Asia berpeluang mengadakan konsert solo di situ selepas penyanyi India, Lata Mangheskar. Memanglah ia satu perjuangan murni dan untuk berjuang walaupun dalam apa tujuan sekalipun, memerlukan pengorbanan dan menempuh laluan sukar. Mungkin kita melihat selama ini perjalanan kerjaya Siti berjalan dengan baik. Dalam tempoh sepuluh tahun dalam industri, Siti mampu mengadakan konsert di tempat-tempat hebat seperti Dewan Philharmonic, Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, Istana Budaya serta jelajah 14 negeri di Malaysia. Ia sesuatu yang hanya mampu menjadi impian dan angan-angan bagi penyanyi lain di Malaysia. Apabila Siti melangkah ke luar negara, banyak dugaan dan kepayahan yang perlu ditempuhnya. Itu sesuatu yang lumrah. Cuba lihat perjuangan anak-anak Malaysia yang mahu melakar sejarah di luar negara seperti Datuk Azhar Mansor, Datuk Malik Maidin, Datin Paduka Sharifah Maznah Syed Abdul Kadir dan ramai lagi. Orang kita hanya akan pandang apabila mereka membuktikan kejayaan. Jalan sama dilalui Siti untuk ke Royal Albert Hall. Difahamkan, buat masa ini sumbangan diterima berupa potongan istimewa tiket penerbangan daripada Penerbangan Malaysia dan promosi daripada Pelancongan Malaysia. Semua kos lain ditanggung penganjur, Putrade Property Management Sdn Bhd dan Siti Nurhaliza Productions Sdn Bhd (SNP). Waktu sama, sana sini ramai jugalah bertanya saya, tak pergi buat liputan konsert Siti di London? Saya hanya membalas dengan senyuman lalu mereka bertanya lagi, takkan wartawan Siti Nurhaliza tak dapat pergi? Mendengar kata-kata itu, saya terus ketawa. Mungkin ketawa untuk diri sendiri. Kasihan pun ada kerana begitulah anggapan orang pada saya selama ini. Wartawan Siti Nurhaliza...satu kebanggaan atau satu sindiran? Sampaikan berjumpa orang yang tidak dikenali, soalan pertama ialah akak ini Tati yang tulis Depan Mata dalam Harian Metro tu kan? Akak ni Wartawan Siti Nurhaliza kan? Mungkin pembaca melihat saya selalu menulis artikel mengenai Siti. Dari segi angka memanglah banyak tapi kalau dibahagikan dengan tahun saya bekerja, tidaklah banyak. Lainlah kalau saya bekerja baru setahun dua. Kalau membuat liputan Siti buat konsertt di luar negara seperti Indonesia, memang saya belum ada peluang. Hanya publisiti sebelum pergi atau selepas pulang. Itu satu tugas untuk mendapatkan cerita terbaru Siti. Apabila Siti mengumumkan rancangannya mengadakan konsert di London, publisiti yang diberikan cukup baik sebagai sokongan media kepada anak seni tempatan yang mahu melakar nama di luar negara. Tapi apabila undangan untuk membuat liputan memerlukan kos penerbangan, penginapan dan makan yang bukan sedikit, semua itu terpulang kepada budi bicara pihak syarikat. Tugas media ialah memberi publisiti dan ia juga saya lihat sebagai satu sumbangan atas dasar kerja. Saya bekerja makan gaji dengan syarikat, bukan dibayar Siti Nurhaliza ya. Jumpa lagi. Harian Metro 21 Mac 2005 PERSEMBAHAN SITI MULA BERUBAH .sd "Siti mahu orang melihat persembahan yang lain daripada Siti." MENYAKSIKAN prebiu persembahan Siti Nurhaliza di Dewan Tun Razak 1, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) baru-baru ini untuk konsert di Royal Albert Hall London yang akan diadakan pada 1 April ini, nyata Siti kelihatan lebih yakin untuk beraksi. Dia tidak lagi malu-malu untuk menggoyangkan badannya mengikut irama lagu, malah Siti dengan penuh teruja memberitahu bahawa dia mahu mengekalkan cara persembahan sebegitu apabila kembali ke tanah air. "Siti mahu orang melihat persembahan yang lain daripada Siti,'' katanya yang dilatih oleh Pat untuk persembahan tariannya manakala untuk tarian tradisional, Siti akan diiringi oleh 16 penari dari Yayasan Warisan Johor. Dia yang semakin berdebar menghitung hari-hari sebelum persembahan di sana, terus mengadakan latihan penuh dengan para pemuzik dan penari di PWTC sebelum berlepas ke London pada 23 Mac ini. Dijangka lebih 100 orang akan terlibat menjayakan konsert Siti termasuk 72 dari Malaysia, 34 orang pemuzik Orkestra Simfoni London dan beberapa pekerja teknikal dari Britain. Menurut Siti, latihan dan persediaan awal telah dijalankan sejak tiga bulan lalu merangkumi kerja-kerja penyusunan semula lagu, latihan dengan para pemuzik dan latihan tarian di beberapa lokasi. "Persembahan ini adalah langkah permulaan Siti untuk ke pasaran Barat malah ia juga merupakan hadiah ulang tahun pembabitan Siti dalam bidang seni yang cukup 10 tahun pada tarikh tersebut," katanya. Selain Roslan, turut terlibat dalam konsert itu ialah Pak Ngah yang bertindak sebagai penolong penerbit sementara pengarah untuk orkestra akan dikemudikan oleh Erwin Gutawa. Siti akan mengenakan empat persalinan pada malam persembahan itu iaitu batik dan elegan ciptaan pereka Micheal Ong dan Radzuan Radziwill dan akan disolek serta didandan oleh jurusolek kegemarannya, Nurul Shukor. Malah untuk memastikan persembahannya berjalan lancar dan memenuhi standard antarabangsa, Siti turut mengupah Mahadzir Lokman bagi melatih pertuturan persembahannya. Mingguan Malaysia 20 Mac 2005 IN-CONCERT: SITI TUNES UP FOR ROYAL ALBERT HALL . sd Siti's poster admired by passers by Malaysia’s ‘who’s who’ in the music and fashion business are involved in Siti Nurhaliza first concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. SHUIB TAIB has the details. WHAT does it take to organise a Siti Nurhaliza concert? What is it like to work with the singer, touted as the best vocalist Malaysia has ever produced? What kind of problems would she face? At a rehearsal in Synchrosound Studio, Roslan Aziz, who is show producer and musical director for Siti’s first concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, was the picture of calm... despite the show being less than two weeks away. The above questions might have hung in the air but Roslan seemed to be taking them all in stride. He confessed to never having paid much attention to Siti’s songs before this but said his job was made easier as Siti was undoubtedly a brilliant singer. “There isn’t much to correct where her singing is concerned. This superstar is in her own league. Her vocals are crystal clear,” said Roslan. The first thing he did when he was asked to take on the project was listen to all of her 10 CDs. “Her songs are great but the music arrangements have been ‘embellished’. Her final repertoire, about 30 songs including medleys, have been injected with fresher arrangements. The songs went through some “refining” and “re-defining” to show off her vocals. For the first time, Siti will not have back-up vocalists during the two-hour show. It will be just the singer and her musicians — among the industry’s cream of the crop — who have been handpicked by Roslan, though “not without Siti’s approval”. They are Steve Thornton (percussion), Ramli ‘Rebana’ (traditional percussion), Greg Lyons (saxophone), Kesevan (flute), Jason Voo (keyboards), Zahid Ahmad (drums), Jamie Wilson (guitar), Andy Peterson (bass/double bass) and Aubrey Suwito (keyboards/band leader). Joining them are multi-lingual Mahadzir Lokman, who is Siti’s speech guide and emcee for the show, and Farihin Abdul Fatah (ex-manager of Raihan) as stage manager. Said Mahadzir: “This (speech guide role) is actually nothing new. Professional singers the world over often seek the assistance of a speech guide or tutor to help them with the script and so on. “Siti is an easy artiste to work with. Contrary to popular belief, her command of the English language is not bad at all. It is the public who is making her afraid to speak English because she has been ridiculed before.” In fact, the running joke about Siti on board a Malaysia Airlines flight, when she was supposed to have told the stewardess she’d have her “coffee in a cup” when asked “how would you like your coffee, ma’am?” is not true, said Mahadzir. “She doesn’t even drink coffee!” he said. “I told her ‘nobody expects you to speak Oxford English’. Take Julio and Enrique Iglesias, for example. They speak English with heavy Spanish accents yet they’re selling their albums in the millions. “But she is a strong girl. She just needs to regain her confidence,” said Mahadzir, adding that Siti is a delight to work with and that he is honoured to be part of her entourage. Also spotted at the rehearsal was Aubrey’s sister, Juwita, who was there to help Siti out with her diction and pronunciation for the only English number for the evening, Oleta Adams’ Get Here. “So far, we have had two sessions and they have been good fun. I am eager to bring out the best in her. She learns quite fast!” said Juwita. Pat T Ibrahim, choreographer and ex-member of Kool (a local singing and dance outfit), meanwhile, said he was not there to create new dance routines for Siti. “I’m here as her showmanship coach, if you like. Siti is a shy person and at times she holds back too much, where dancing is concerned. But she has a lot of groove which needs to come through. She’s certainly not one who has two left feet. “It’s just a matter of guiding her on what to do and when ... in her own style. I’m assisting her on the different ways of moving and intepreting her songs. There are times when she needs to be predatory, fun, sad or even mildly sexy.” Suhaimi ‘Pak Ngah’ Mohd Zain, composer of the haunting ‘Cindai’ — Siti’s first traditional hit number — is leading his own team of musicians for the traditional segment of the show. EAST AND WEST: Ramli (traditional percussion) and Peterson (double bass) will be part of the entourage. Roslan (seated right) is the show producer/musical director. Also featured are 20 dancers from Yayasan Warisan Johor. As for her stage attire, Siti has the expertise of designers Michael Ong and Radzuan Radziwil behind her. There will be four costume changes altogether, two of which will have batik motifs. Assisting her in the make-up department is her longtime make-up artist/buddy, Nurul Shukor. To complete the ensemble, there’s Malaysian-born shoe designer to the stars, Datuk Jimmy Choo! Apart from Malaysia’s who’s who in the music and fashion business, one of Indonesia’s most sought-after music conductors, Erwin Gutawa, will join Siti in London too. He will conduct the 33-piece London Symphony Orchestra. Indeed, the number of people involved in this concert, whose stage will be designed by multi-award winning set designer Jalil Ngah, is simply amazing. Said Roslan: “There will be 113 people involved in the show. Besides the 72 from Malaysia and the 33-piece LSO, there are eight technical personnel from Britain (who had worked with Roslan before) in charge of lights, sound and monitors. “When a singer is not afraid to invest in a show of such staggering proportions such as this, you know that she is dead serious about her career. It is truly an honour for me to be asked to work with her. “We met at the Malaysian Idol penultimate final. At that time, it didn’t occur to me that she was talking about a show of this magnitude!” exclaimed Roslan. Roslan, who was responsible for his singer Sheila Majid’s performance at London’s Ronnie Scotts in 1996, said that production cost him about £90,000 (RM630,000). It is believed that Siti’s show at Royal Albert Hall costs one and half times more! Needless to say, it seems like only yesterday when I watched our very own superstar, the late Sudirman Arshad, stun the audience and judges at the Royal Albert Hall to take home Asia’s Best Performer award at the Salem Music Awards competition on March 19, 1989. Sixteen years on, yet another shining star is about to emulate that success — on a much bigger scale. The 26-year-old Siti has certainly come a long way. NST 18 Mac 2005 special thanks for Mat Kepoh

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