INTERVIEW INTERVIEW THE KEY TO LOVE FIONACAMPBELLANDTAMARA-ANNACISLOWSKA Proclaimed ‘outstanding’ and ‘Best Mezzo in Australia’ by The Australian,‘Diva Extraordinaire’ and award-winning performer Fiona Campbell is one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved singers. Much in demand as a principal artist with all the finest orchestras and ensembles in Australia, Fiona’s other great love is cabaret. So she is thrilled to have found her kindred spirit at the keys in internationally acclaimed, Tamara-Anna Cislowska, ARIA award-winning pianist and one of ABC Classic FM’s most popular new presenters. Ahead of the pair teaming up to perform cabaret and hits with a strong French connection, we asked them about music, working together and classical crooners. You have previously performed together at the Art Gallery of NSW. What did you love about collaborating together? TAC:The winning combination of spontaneity, sheer talent and charismatic dynamism that IS Fiona Campbell. What could go wrong? It’s a thrill, even for me, and I’m on the stage! FC: Working with Tamara is like working with a great painter, she absorbs all the notes on the page and then splashes colours all over the keyboard with her unique interpretation. I would say “can you make this bit sound more sparkly please?” and it was so. Tamara is quite simply one of the most extraordinary pianists I have ever worked with. What excites you the most about coming together again to perform Fifi L’Amour? TAC: Fifi L’Amour is not only a riot, it has many moments of deep emotional yearning and pathos. Fiona is at home in so many styles and sails effortlessly from one to the next. I provide a few episodes of death-defying piano pyrotechnics just to punctuate the fun. FC: It’s a sensational set of songs polished to perfection, but performed with wild abandon. It’s just about as much fun as you can have on stage, when you are making music with someone you trust implicitly. The audience can feel it too and are carried away by the beauty and lyricism of the songs, dazzling virtuosity from the keys and a healthy dose of comedy…it is cabaret after all. The concert will include a range of classics from Porter to Piaf? Why do you think the ballads from these golden voices have stood the tests of time? TAC:Those songs speak to the heart and tell our stories. Everyone can relate to the humanity and romanticism they contain. After all, we experience the same emotions, troubles, dreams no matter which point in history we live. FC: They’re great tunes, sung by big personalities. Beneath the beautiful veneer, the sentiment is real, aching and as relevant today as it has ever been. What is your favourite classic song and why? TAC: I would say La Vie en Rose is one of the most evocative songs from the 40’s. The mixture of optimism and nostalgia is always very touching to me. FC: I’d have to agree with Tamara, it’s hard to go past La Vie en Rose, it seems to pour out of the most passionate, sweet spot of love. That moment in time when you feel one person is your absolute source of joy…it’s an intimate, delicate and enduring love song. 8