Nuans, the popera band made a brand new history in the Mongolian music industry, both classical and pop, through their classical evenings of “Isabel†on March 26 and 27 at the State Opera and Ballet Theater.
Have you ever anticipated what a bunch of sappy pop hits would sound like if given the opera treatment in Mongolia by a trio of gentlemen. So don’t you believe that Nuans, the band-and-nuance of the Mongolian popera notes, was incredibly classical and superb both musically and technically at their classical evenings. If you have not wondered then you’ve already attended that stunning performance where the popera sensations caused a collective swoon in the sold-out crowd.
The stage has been not a daunting place for Nuans, indeed. Their
ability to follow theatrical design seemingly 100 percent perfect
despite there was missing the logo of the concert name somewhere on the
stage. Their rich voice made the best parts of the Isabel show and
there’s still a non-struggle to present a tight, cohesive piece of
entertainment. The only seven-year-old band gets to push their voices
in ways when nearly every song was structured to take advantage of
their remarkable vocal range.
The costume changes are limited to four; the stage set is a simple
mini-theater and a stage-middle staircase; and they use the
center-arena stage for a pair of songs that bring them closer to the
fans.
Nuans was assembled a few years back at the theater to find four
classically trained hunks whose vocal prowess was matched only by their
ability. But then one of them, Enkhtaivan followed his own way with
Classic Gem.
The Hail Mary or Ave Maria in Latin had the opening number of the
classical evening. Being set to music numerous times, Franz Schubert’s
version proved what the band did really promise prior to the show – a
superb classic that could show the wonder of human voices even it was
the bass-baritone (D.Onorbaatar) or baritone (M.Amarsanaa and
M.Borgilchuluun) voices.
It’s not too hard to generalize in an arena as small as the State Opera
and Ballet Theater, sound was particularly good at this show. All the
music comes from the recordings, vocals were clear and well balanced.
Unlike with so many arena acts, their voice sounded natural and
consistently in tune.
The Jesus’ mother inspired number was followed by two jointly works by
lyricist Luc Plamondon and songwriter Riccardo Cocciante – Temps de
Cathedrales, and Belle (also known as Esmerelda), the soundtrack of the
French-Canadian musical “Notre Dame de Paris†(The Hunchback of Notre
Dame) which debuted just ten years ago in Paris and base on the same
named novel by the legendary Frenchman novelist Victor Hugo. Looking
impeccably attired in trademark black suits, but long, each member of
the group took their turn on a solo verse, with all of the three
sounding so shaky, and however, it was emotional as well for everyone
in the hall. They quickly recovered, though, and when all three joined
in harmony for the chorus, the effect was incredibly stunning. All the
people stayed speechless, as like Mr.Josh Rich, who is a professor at
the National University of Humanity, said, “Their voices were excellent
when it harmonized,†perfectly all night long.
Then it was the turn of enjoying the wonder of “England Waltz†by young dancers from the Line of Dance group.
And they came on to repeat the feat again that night with fine effect
on full-throated version of All By Myself (Eric Carmen) or known in the
popera genre as Solo Otra Vez. Take the opening number, a cover of the
Robert Lee “Bobby†Hatfield hit Unchained Melody back in 1965 (known in
Nuans-speak as Non o Piu that was followed To Amero by John Mackfall.
Since it is also known as the 1990 romantic drama Ghost soundtrack,
that “Unchained Melody†straightly sounded into hearts of the emotional
viewers and once could recall lovely times of people aged at over 30 or
40. Honestly, most of the audience was between its ages.
Onorbaatar stayed alone on the stage. “I prepared my special present to
all of you. In other words, I wanna the next generation to get idea
from me like this. I am going to sing a number in not my voice
(bass-baritone), but in tenor.†At first, it sounded strange honestly,
when it went on, it seemed possible at the middle. His voice sounded
like not his, but a female singer’s. It really was truly incredible and
fascinating at last, and he did a great job and proved himself as a
professional singer who can turn to a tenor. “It is very difficult to
sing like this,†shared a woman sitting right next to me her thought
and admire with me.
Again, Ave Maria was brought live through the solo performance of an
incredibly voiced Ch.Altantulkhuur, who is a vocalist at the theater
and a friend of the band members. This time she chose the version of
J.S.Bach and S.Guno to show completely her soprano voice.
My heart will go on and yours too I know. Yes, indeed, Nuans promised
once it on the stage. The leader of the band started, “Every night in
my dream…†All the audience followed him in their mouths or in their
souls since there was no one not knowing its pop classic of
D.Bedingfield by the one and only Canadian pop queen Celine Dion.
Melody sounded as superbly beautiful as their voice. Suddenly it was an
upset when heard some words. “No, they English was good,†protected
Rich when asked about it after the concert. Then when asked again, “The
music was a little bit loud. But it sounded great,†he replied. Her
wife Karen was also confident about it and expressed how perfect their
voice was.
Then there came their symbolic number, Isabel. Again their vocal was
stunning when they sang together. They also dabbled in more traditional
fare, like a soaring version of Lucio Dalla’s Caruso.
Let us say “Unbreak My Heart,†with ending so quickly to Nuans. Both
Diana Warren and the R&B diva Toni Braxton’s signature effort,
Unbreay My Heart or Regresa a Mi brought back the band’s emotionally
memorable time of their first-ever concert that was held exactly year
ago at the UB Palace. They were really emotional as well as overwhelmed
with their hard work. The three also were very faithful to each other
while singing the song sincerely as like they did until it.
Luckily for us, they didn’t even after Borgilchuluun expressed it was the “Time to Say Goodbye†along with Altantulkhuur.
Borgilchuluun’s duet with her was one of the highlights of the show,
indeed. Despite that he is the youngest among then, his voice was the
most powerful at that classical evening.
The band then showed their belief in their adored fans through the
performance “I Believe in You†(Diana King), another huge hit from
Celine Dion and leaved us for a while.
P.Onorjargal, another powerful and lyrical voiced vocalist of the
theater great us with Anytime Anywhere (Tomaso Giovanna Albioni and
Frank Peterson) and the Swedish legendary quartet ABBA’s hit Dancing
Queen that was followed by another dance number of the group.
Nuans, a favorite band for their incomparable hard work on mixing
classical and modern music, is going to surprise the Mongolian music
world by producing the first-ever popera album this year. Whether it
was a conscious strategy or not, by waiting until this from last March
to the classic the band ensured the “Nuans Popera†tracks would be as
popular as anything in their lengthy list of hits.
The best of their upcoming “Nuans Popera†material - “Poppuri of
Classical songs,†(a collection of Sole Mio, exerpts from Carmen and
Figaro operas) “Isabel†and “Besamo Mucho,†- sparkled differently than
the rest.
In the one and half hour between the opening of the curtains and the
rise of the house lights, there’s quite enough Nuans. At last, let me
tell to the popera band, “Bravo, Nuans!â€
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