Yma Sumac: The Peruvian Songbird
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
18 Nov 2020
- 20 Nov 2020
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
18 Nov 2020
- 20 Nov 2020
In the 1950s when musical exotica was all the rage, Yma Sumac was a sensation – an Incan princess who astounded American audiences with her five-octave range and larger-than-life personality. She was a best-selling artist for Capitol Records, toured the world and appeared in a movie with Charlton Heston. Her songs have been sampled in lounge music, hip hop and movie soundtracks.
This one-woman show is a passion project for Helpmann Award-winning cabaret performer and soprano Ali McGregor, whose admiration for Sumac has led to her acquiring a collection of the singer’s jewellery and clothes in which she performs.
From the bird-like trills of ‘Chuncho’ to a mambo version of the ‘Queen of the Night’ aria, McGregor brings her astounding voice to Sumac’s music. Between vocal pyrotechnics, she tells Sumac’s story and her own journey discovering this fascinating artist.
Prepare to be enthralled by the lure of exoticism, mystery, heartbreak and above all – extraordinary singing.
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Thursday 18 June 2020, 7.30pm [POSTPONED]
Friday 19 June 2020, 7.30pm
[POSTPONED]
Saturday 20 June 2020, 1pm
[POSTPONED]
Saturday 20 June 2020, 7.30pm [POSTPONED]
Running time is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, no interval
Sung in English
Patrons' Pre-Show Drinks Friday 19 June, 6.30pm [CANCELLED]
Written by Ali McGregor
Director
Cameron Menzies
Musical Direction
Sam Keevers
Lighting Direction Paul Lim
Set Design Kathryn Sproul
Ali McGregor
Music Band Sam Keevers, Eugene Ball, Ben Gillespie, Hugh Harvey, Tamara Murphy, Phil Noy, Lily Paskas-Goodfellow