video! Amore e Musica original by Russell Watson ~ am I biased, as usual?

let me be honest. I wasn't as impressed as Kiriya-sama by this song. needless to say, I like her version more - and this has nothing to do with the fact that I love her, the reason is that I think Mr Watson's voice doesn't fit this song. or... maybe... this is really because I heard Kiriya-sama's version first...?

translation! Kiriya-sama's interview about her First Concert

it started when I was searching for a big 'Amore e Musica' poster to use as my Google Calendar background. the light blue and white colours used in it look very soothing to me. the necessary image being only in 2 variants among the search result, I noticed a few photos yet unknown to me. they were obviously post-graduate ones, but I had never seen them before, which meant some new events happened and I knew nothing of the sort and new articles and interviews appeared
suddenly all my doubts vanished, and the feeling of being absolutely tired and unable to do anything yielded to the urge to translate. a hundred and something of translation pages of official work and some Takarazuka-related articles I have translated recently may seem too unimpressive to enable me to say I have gained a huge experience, but certainly I have made some progress which made translating this time considerably easier than before. probably, 'tis the very process of translating that made me feel so cosy - seeing Kiriya-sama's smiling face, reading the same kind of articles, using the same range of vocabulary was something that helped me to understand there hasn't really been THAT much of a change, compared with the time before Kiriya-sama's graduation or the period right after that. the article isn't too small, but I coped with the task at only 2 laps, though with a forced pause of 3 days between. this is good. this is somewhat... ensuring... 

there are a few things I failed to understand - such as the 'first challenge' for Kiriya-sama, as if 'twere her first concert in life...

here 'tis, the original article

The former Takarazuka Revue  Moon Troupe Top Star Kiriya Hiromu's First Concert 'Amore e Musica - Dream Is Endless...' raised the curtain on October, 12 (Fri). We asked her about her feelings during the rehearsal.

Kiriya Hiromu, who mastered all the three arts necessary for a performer - singing, dancing and acting, - graduated from Takarazuka Revue in April. 'It has been 5 months since then, but I don't feel like it has been that long, maybe, because of my busy daily life. I realised that I had graduated only after my new life in Tokyo started. Now I have mixed feelings - on one hand, I am almost itching to perform on stage, but on the other hand, I am a little scared.'
It isn't a rare thing for a Takarasienne to hold concerts, but for Kiriya this will be the first challenge. 'This has been my cherished desire for a long time, and I am very happy that I am able to make it come true. I want to show this feeling on the stage.' she says. 'Amore e Musica' means 'Love and Music' in Italian. After listening to a song of the same name by Russell Watson, an English tenor, deeply impressed Kiriya chose the phrase for the concert title, and she explains her feelings - 'I want to convey the splendour of music and of the love I have received from all the spectators.'
It was also the original idea of Kiriya that the orchestra should play live on stage. Considering other songs than 'Amore e Musica' in the programme Kiriya says 'I want to sing songs that the audience would know very well,' and she included into the concert numbers from the musicals she played in and original Takarazuka songs. Moreover, our interest in the concert cannot cease after her statement - 'I also challenge myself with songs that give the feeling like - what if I try to sing this?'

Sakai Sumio, who is responsible for the concert organisation and directing, music supervisors Yoshida Yuko and Kuratomi Shin'ichi, choreographers ANJU (Anju Mira) and AYAKO, and the others, can be called an 'All Takarazuka' staff, which is promising. 'Rather than suddenly showing a new image, I wanted to cherish my origin which is the Kiriya who owes everything to Takarazuka and thus to move forward. This is why I asked for help those people who already know me. I think, the audience who became my fans when I was a male role player will be able to enjoy the concert without any sense of discomfort.'
On the other hand, it is likely to be a fresh spectacle for the audience to see 4 male dancers also participating in the concert. 'When we hold hands, I sometimes turn my hand palm up and make other mistakes which are a pattern that a person with a male role player experience can easily slip into. This time there is also a scene when I am lifted, but still I feel more at ease when it is me who lifts someone.' Kiriya says, her smiling face showing no worries.
Aiming for the future of an actress, she will reconsider the artistic skills she has been fostering up until now. The concert seems to become a performance that reflects the natural Kiriya she is now. Kiriya Hiromu First Concert 'Amore e Musica ~ Dream is Endless' will take place in Aoyama Theatre from October 12 (Fri) to 14 (Sun).

my humble opinion on Kiriya-sama's first concert 'Amore e Musica'. Quatre Reves shopping. thoughts on the new Moon Troupe

it took me a few moments to realise I was not in Takarazuka. then it took me a few minutes to understand I was watching Kiriya-sama live, on the stage. it also took me several numbers to decide whether I like it or still cannot accept it. the full comprehension of what was going on came probably when the first set of numbers finished and a short break with talk session started. 'the same Kiriya-sama, the same gestures and movements, the same walk, and of course the same voice. 'tis her that I see...' I thought. and this made me comfortable and calm

I don't think there is any need for comprehensive analysis here. to start with, I would never be able to say anything bad about the concert. from general perspective, on the other hand, there was nothing I could be dissatisfied with

the concert consisted of several blocks - opening, love and music, prayer, passion, the native place of heart, memorable musicals, and songs of love - dream is endless

well, an opening is an opening. I would rather include the title song - 'Amore e Musica' - in the opening also, but 'tis in the section 'love and music', the rest of it given for 'standard jazz numbers'

'prayer' is probably my favourite, because Kiriya-sama's perfect taste and sense of music made two masterpieces out of famous songs - 'Ave Maria' and 'Nella Fantasia', both in original arrangement

'passion' speaks for itself and I only need to add that this section included dancing also which was unbelievably hot... >___<

'the native place of heart' and 'memorable musicals' are actually a Takarazuka corner full of great hits which I couldn't listen to without tears. I wasn't able to see SP or Studio 54 live, but I heard my favourite songs at least. even though 'twas not in Takarazuka...

the last part consists of great hits like 'Caruso' which was absolutely beautifully performed by Kiriya-sama

and of course 'My Way' is the best. I am not sure whether Kiriya-sama's voice got better after much singing (same as mine, haha), or she was previously saving energy to make a gorgeous finale, or 'twas my imagination, but her last notes were marvellously strong and full of sound

if I am not mistaken, there were 3 'encores'. each time I was already saying goodbye to her, but the curtain raised again and again. I wiped my tears with a tissue after 'My Way' and never cried during the rest, wanting to carve in my memory everything I saw. my eyes were still a bit red, however, when I looked at myself in the mirror in the toilet several minutes later. I didn't mind it

when we came to Quatre Reves on Saturday I realised one thing. even though my support to Takarazuka and Moon Troupe hasn't vanished, my heart doesn't belong to it anymore. my original intention was to buy only 3 DVDs of Kiriya-sama there, but when I looked into my purse I understood I could afford something else. after doing 2 or 3 circles round the shop I took a mirror and 'Algiers no Otoko' Le Cinq. I didn't want Ryuu-sama's Top Star goods, though I have to admit there was a cute pendant, not the one with a smiley. I didn't want any calendars, though they were advertised here and there, and I didn't want any stills. I didn't buy Kageki with Asumi-sama on the cover, and I didn't buy RomiJuri or Spring Snow programme. the only thing I regret not buying is the 'Takarazuka Oldies' CD, but I decided not to search for it. the new Moon is something I will follow closely and probably sympathize with, but 'tis no longer my obsession. no longer my 'native place of heart'

link ~ Kiriya-sama's first concert on Sunrise Tokyo APPEARED ^___^

and just when I was about to give up and spend my money on anything I want including Matsui Seiko concert here in Vladivostok, clothes and shoes and so on... Sunrise Tokyo updates concert info and finally 'Amore e Musica' is there

http://www.sunrisetokyo.com/schedule/details.php?id=1422

so...... eh...... um......... what am I to do T___T