Kwela Interview, 19 Novmeber 2023
Lunch Punch: Helena Hettema van Sonkring-faam oor ‘Paris In Spring’
Helena Hettema – PARIS IN SPRING WITH THE FRENCH LEGENDS, THE DIVAS & A TOUCH OF HETTEMA
Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Helena Hettema is in cabaret on 20 August at the Attterbury Theatre, Lynnwood Bridge, Pretoria.
Helena has received huge acclaim for her self-directed cabaret paying tribute to the timeless French legends – Piaf, known as the “Little Sparrow”, Brel, Mireille Matthieu and relives highlights of her career performing with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra and on the MSC Musica for Lefra’s Oppiwaterfees, among others.
Renditions from her latest DVD feature the magical musicals such as “Evita”,”Fiddler’ on the roof” and “Les Miserables” as well as hits of the great divas such as Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and Dutch singer, Corry Brokken who made famous “La Mamma” about a dying gypsey queen written by Charles Aznavour.
Among the songs featured are “Over the Rainbow”, “Never, Never”, and compositions of local legends such as Koos du Plessis, Christa Steyn and Anton Goosen and a few of Helena’s universal poems in English and Afrikaans from her coffee table book “ Journeyman – ‘n digter ontbloot” – to be released by the end of 2023.
Elsa Strating, pianist, teacher and arranger of the DVD accompanies Helena on piano. A trio of talented young artists are also featured as guests with a rendition of Vittorio Monti’s Czardas: Heinrich Sutton – piano, Nicole Sutton – saxophone and Reuben van Nieuwenhuizen- violin
HELENA VIER SANGLOOPBAAN VAN 21 JAAR + NA AARDKLOP 2018
Gevierde kabaretkunstenaar, sangeres, liedjieskrywer en aktrise, Helena Hettema bring haar jongste album, “Helena Hettema 21 +” na Aardklop op 2 en 3 Oktober 2018 in die Elgrohotelsaal. Die CD is verlede jaar vrygestel in die Atterburyteater in Pretoria.
Kaartjies: R140 – Ticketpro
Hierdie optrede vier 23 jaar sedert Helena se eerste CD “Fool’s Gold” vrygestel is deur die destydse JNS en met lof ontvang is. Die titelsnit stel haar destydse groep “Golden Fleece” ten toon oorspronklik met Alwyn van Heerden (klavier) Lindsay Liebenberg (baskitaar), Hennie van Jaarsveld (akoestiese kitaar) en Paul Greyling (dromme).’n DVD is in ’93 gemaak van die liedjie wat handel oor die armoede in die strate van Egoli en is uitgesaai deur SABC 2 sowel as “Touch of Green” met lirieke in seSotho, isiXhosa, Engels en Afrikaans en handel oor die behoud van die planeet.
Die opwindende drie-meisie groep, “Con Grazia” wat onlangs ‘n Ghoematoekenning verower het, sal ook daar wees op saksofoon, viool en fluit en staan Helena by met harmonieë. Hulle is ook op die album met die lied “ Silly cyber tango dans” en Sharon sing ‘n duet met Helena – “If we only have love”.
Die eerste helfte van hierdie glans optrede sal Helena se vroeër jare en die eerste liedjies wat sy gepen het dek soos “Skadudans”, “Papermen”, “Fool’s Gold”, “Mother of Mine” en “Tolbos in die wind” wat vir die “Sonkring” TV reeks geskryf is sowel as ander liedjies wat op die CD , “Helena Hettema Highlights” wat genomineer is vir ‘n SAMA (SA Music Award), asook haar dae met Anton Goosen se “Kommissie van Ondersoek”. Een van hulle hoogtepunte was hul optrede by “Houtstok” voor 20 000
mense.
Lindsay Liebenberg van haar destydse groep “Golden Fleece” tree op as gaskunstenaar op baskitaar saam met Gerald Brookshaw op kitaar van die tweemangroep “Friendship”. Hulle sing ook die gewilde “Streets of London” wat op haar jongste CD verskyn.
Helena bring ook liedjies van verlange gekomponeer gedurende haar tyd in Bologna, Italië in ’96 soos “Jasmine Lament” en in Londen in ’97, soos “Divided Heart”, geskryf op Brightonstrand. In die tweede helfte sal haar mees onlangse liedjies vir die eerste keer gehoor word soos “Silly cyber tango dans”, in beide Afrikaans en Engels wat gaan oor die oppervlakkigheid van die kuberwêreld en die wispelturigheid van die verbuikers daarvan sowel as “Mio Cuore, NY” en “Adrenaline Rush wat afsonderlik gaan oor die sprankelstad NY en die onroerende sensasie van motorfiets ry, geskryf saam met Marguerite van Reenen.
Helena bring hulde aan haar pa met die liedjie, “A 1000 winds that blow” (gebasseer op die gedig, “Do not stand at my grave and weep” deur Mary Elizabeth Fry waarvoor sy die musiek vroeer vanjaar geskryf het. Helena word begelei deur haar briljante pianis, Marelize Koch wat ook harmonieë
doen saam met haar op sekere liedjies.
Helena dra hierdie optrede op aan drie persone wat haar lewe en verhoog gedeel het:
Andre Wessels, haar pianis en kameraad vir sewe jaar wat in 2015 oorlede is en vir wie sy die musiek van “Strength for the Day” gekomponeer het (woorde van Annie Flint), vriend, medesanger en liedjieskrywer Eugene Vermaak wat in 2016 oorlede is en haar geliefde pa, Jan Hettema wat die dag daarna, op 29 Junie tragies gesterf het.
Onder andere word Helena twee keer genomineer vir’n SAMA, ontvang ‘n Laureaat van haar alma mater, die Universiteit van Pretoria vir haar bydrae tot die uitvoerende kunste en verower die SABC 2 Geraas Toekenning vir die Beste Solo Vroulike Kunstenaar” vir haar CD “Divided Heart”.
Perskommentaar – 21 +:
“Sy is in die kol met ‘Silly cyber tango dans’ – dit is waarskynlik soos sy nog nooit voorheen gehoor is. Dit is net Hettema wat met sukses musiek kon voeg by ‘A thousand winds that blow ‘ “– Mariana Malan – Die Burger/ Beeld
“Sedert Helena se debuutalbum ‘Fool’s Gold’ word haar sonderlinge talent telkens erken …haar nuwe album (21 +) se musikale omwerkings en interpretasies van ‘n aantal gedigte is die toonvenster van die formidabele kunstenaar se vaardigheid en vernuf. “ – Christiaan J de Swardt – Oppinoot – Vrouekeur
“Sy sny dieper as die vel…” Martjie Roos –Beeld
“… And boy can she sing. Hettema has a voice that ranges from crushed silk to wet gravel and uses it with sensitivity and skill … great opportunity to see one of South Africa’s performers in action.” Peter van der Merwe – Pretoria News
“Sy het haar gevestig as een van ons beste sangeresse.” – Beeld
HELENAHETTEMA ALIVE (DVD)
HELENA HETTEMA, ‘ROOIWYNLIEFDE’ AND THE FRENCH LEGENDS AT THE ATTERBURY THEATRE IN THE SPRING
Award-winning cabaret artist, Helena Hettema who recently returned from the“Festivalvoor het Afrikaans” in The Hague, Netherlands, is once more at the Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria in early spring on 6 September, performing songs from her latest and 11th CD, the popular “Rooiwynliefde” which has received acclaim countrywide.
She pays tribute to the “The Little Sparrow”, as Edith Piaf was known in her lifetime, (and who sang, as she lived with total abandon) with music that Helena has been interpreting since the beginning of her career, among others, two performances with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra and also with her CD “Spirit of Piaf and other great French Legends”. The show also includes the music of Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour and Gilbert Becaud.
Helena will be accompanied on certain songs by the talented songwriter, pianist and singer, Eugene Vermaak who set to music for the CD “Rooiwynliefde” the classic Afrikaans poem, “DiepRivier” by Eugene Marais and will feature as a duet at the performance.
The show also includes original songs like: the title cut, “Rooiwynliefde” set to music by the late Christa Steyn and has lyrics celebrating eternal love, written by Marianne Venter. There are also two other famous Afrikaans poems that have been set to music – “In die Hoëveld” by Toon van den Heever, music by Philip Nel, and “Katrina” by I.D. du Plessis , music by Lizanne Barnard of Marimba fame, as well as a few of Helena’s own songs such as the lighthearted “Quasi, quasi, Blu” her first Italian/English song; the popular “Sonkring” theme song from the TV series, and a first Afrikaans/French version and “Die trein het joukomhaal”, a metaphor of death where Helena accompanies herself on the piano; as well as the Karen Zoid/Bruno Andriessong, the catchy “Bonnie and Clyde”.
Guest artists who will make a special contribution to the show are the dynamic young dancer, Angelique Allison who will interpret Helena’s universal song, “Citizen” with its Utopian theme; Karin Koen (Ckari), a graduate of the University of Pretoria who was born deaf and is performing with Helena for the first time, will do interpretations on Helena’s popular “Seasons of the Heart” (lyrics by Joan Hettema) and “Bonnie and Clyde”, lyrics by Bruno Andries. Helena’s father, double Springbok, Jan Hettema will render Louis Prima’s well-loved “Buona Sera” with Helena and which is also on the CD “Dreaming”. A video of the title song, “Rooiwynliefde” , shot on a wine estate and at the sea, will also be screened during the performance.
Helena is the recipient of an SABC Geraas Award for Best Female Vocalist and Laureate Award from the University of Pretoria, her alma mater. She was nominated twice for a SAMA (SA Music Award).
Helena Hettema is one of SA’s most accomplished artists…album can be recommended for its superb quality …” Classic Feel
“Sysnydieper as die vel…” – MartjieRoos – Beeld
“Een van onsbestesangeresse…” Rapport
“And boy can she sing. Hettema has a voice that ranges from crushed silk to wet gravel and she uses it with sensitivity and skill. It was a stirring performance…great opportunity to see one of South Africa’s finest performers in action.” Peter van der Merwe – Pretoria News
“Her interpretations of the music of Piaf and Brel are almost legendary. She ius one of South Africa’s glossy by-products of the cabaret circuit.” – Rooi Rose
Bookings at: Computicket or the Atterbury Theatre – (012) 471 -1700
Tickets: R120/R140 – discount on block bookings.
Helena Hettema Produksies bied “Rooiwynliefde”, die vrystelling van haar 11de CD op 30 September om 16.00 in die Atterburyteater.
Helena is o.a. vir twee SAMAs genomineer, die Geraas SABC 2 en Vonk toekenning en ook ‘n Laureaat toekenning van haar Alma Mater, die Universiteit van Pretoria ontvang.
Helena Hettema’s CD “Rooiwynliefde”, (her 11th) is to be launched at the Atterbury Theatre, Lynnwood Bridge on Sunday 30 September at 16:00.
Cost of tickets is R120 or R140 at Computicket and Atterbury Theatre (012) 471-1700 – discounts for block bookings are available. After the performance a “High Tea and Wine Pairing” (Deetlefs Estate) will be held at Stephanies Restaurant next to the theatre at 18:00 (tickets at Stephanies – R80 –(012) 348-8943).
Deetlefswyn wat aan Helena gekoppel is, sal ‘n wynproe in die voorportaal bedien by die vertoning. Die eerste helfte van hierdie vrystelling sluit in Helena en haar geliefde pianis, André Wessels op klavier met musiek van haar verskeie CDs – van die gunsteling Franse legendes, Piaf, Brel, Aznavour tot Leonard Cohen en die Rolling Stones se “Wild Horses”. Haar pa, Jan Hettema, dubbel Springbok, is gaskunstenaar – met o.a “Buona Sera”.
In die tweede helfte is daar splinternuwe oorspronklike musiek van die CD “Rooiwynliefde” waarvan die titelsnit , ‘n Christa Steyn liedjie is (Marianne Venter se lirieke) . ‘n Musiekvideo van “Rooiwynliefde, geskiet op Deetlefs Wynlandgoed sal ook vertoon word. Van die grootste Afrikaanse digters soos Eugene Marais se “Diep Rivier”, ,Toon van den Heever se “In die Hoëveld” en I D du Plessis se “Katrina van die Bo-Kaap” is getoonset.deur liedjieskrywers Eugene Vermaak, Philip Nel en Lizanne Barnard en kan op die CD gehoor word. Bruno Andries en Karen Zoid se “Bonnie and Clyde” bring ook ‘n nuwe klank na die CD.
Nege van Helena se eie liedjies is o.a. “Quasi Blu” (Helena se eerste Engels/Italiaanse liedjie), “Die Trein het jou kom haal”, ‘n nuwe Franse/Afrikaanse weergawe van die gewilde “Sonkring”(Frans –Bruno Andries) en “Tolbos in die wind” (Frans –Helena ), asook haar Engelse liedjies “Goodbye to the Living”, “Citizen” ( a song for the 21st Century) and “Seasons of the Heart” (woorde deur Helena se ma, Joan), kan gehoor word. Sy word begelei deur die uitmuntende verwerker van “Rooiwynliefde”( en voorheen “Divided Heart”) en pianis, David Jooste en die briljante Mauritz Lotz op kitaar (wat ook op die CD speel). As ‘n bonus gaan Eugene Vermaak met sy toonsetting van “Diep Rivier” Helena begelei en met haar sing. Angelique Allison gaan as danseres ook deel wees van die program.
This diverse music production will appeal to a wide range of tastes with original compositions as well as many of the French favourites that have drawn audiences for the past few years.
The critics have said:
“And boy can she sing…Hettema has a voice that ranges from wet gravel to crushed silk. An opportunity to see one of South Africa’s top cabaret artists in action.” Peter van der Merwe – Pretoria News. (Divas Divas)
“Sny dieper as die vel” – Martjie Roos – Beeld
“South Africa has its own folk poet in the form of singer/songwriter Helena Hettema”. Christina Kennedy – Citizen.
Press comment in Sarie and Huisgenoot – DVD Helena Hettema Alive:
HELENAHETTEMA ALIVE (DVD)
Met ‘n verskeidenheid bekende liedjies soos “Fever”, “Eleanor Rigby” en “I Dreamed a Dream” stel Helena Hettema nie teleur nie. Haar kabaretstyl-DVD voer jou weg na ‘n ander era, en sy kry dit reg om ‘n outydse jazzklub-atmosfeer te skep wat jou laat voel Ella Fitzgerald gaan enige oomblik saam met haar op die verhoog verskyn – Liesldu Toit – Sarie 1 Sept 2010
SENSUELE SOFISTIKASIE
As jy lief is vir kabaret musiek, jaag na die naaste musiekwinkel en koop Helena Hettema se DVD “ALIVE”.Haar stem is dan sensueel, dan speels en sy skep ‘n hele landskap van rou gevoel. Huisgenoot 15 Julie 2010.
[WRG id=247]