KUALA LUMPUR: Award-winning singer Dayang Nurfaizah couldn’t suppress her excitement in being part of the restaging of Malam Terang Bulan at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) to be held from Nov 20 till 22.
Organised by Khazanah Nasional for the second time, the three-day orchestral concert with narration is about how a love song became Malaya’s national anthem.
Last year, it was also held DFP but it was by-invitation-only. This time around, it is open to public.
Dayang, 34, who was in last year’s show makes a return. She will be performing Jauh-Jauh and Tanah Pusaka.
she gushed: “The concert features classical Malay songs that I’ve always dreamed of performing.
“Last year, I sang Rumba Gembira and Jauh-Jauh. The melodies are heavenly and the singing techniques are different yet beautiful.
“I’ve never had the chance to sing such songs before, until I was offered to sing for the concert. It was both an honour and a great pleasure for me.”
“Plus, I’m used to singing pop tunes, so to be able to sing classical Malay songs that have such dramatic musical arrangements for a change, well, it’s a gratifying experience for me,” she said, when met at the concert’s Press conference at Rebung restaurant, Bangsar recently.
Malam Terang Bulan is inspired by music composer Datin Saidah Rastam’s book Rosalie And Other Love Songs. It was published by Khazanah Nasional Berhad as part of a preservation project on Malayan music, recordings, manuscripts and oral history.
Malam Terang Bulan 2015 retains some of its performers, including singers Musly Ramly, Zamzuriah Zahari and Evelyn Feroza Fernandez; Datuk Zahim Albakri and Chacko Vadaketh as narrators; and pianist Mei Lin Hii.
The artistes will be accompanied by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) and Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO), led by conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose. Musical director is Faizal Uzir a.k.a. Lok U.
Dayang said: “Last year, I had learned about the origin of Negaraku, which I think every Malaysian should know. I feel it is my responsibility, not only as a singer but as a Malaysian, to share this part of the country’s history with my fans.”
Tickets are priced from RM80 to RM200, available at mpo.com.my/24-malam-terang-bulan or the DFP Box Office counter.
All proceeds will be channeled to various organisations related to arts and heritage in Malaysia.