Pumeza Matshikiza, Iain Farrington, Simon Hewett - Voice Of Hope (2014)

Outstanding debut CD from up-and-coming South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza. This unique CD features Pumeza singing arias from operas such as La Boheme, Turandot and Don Giovanni as well as traditional South African songs and songs made famous by the great Miriam Makeba. Her inspirational life story from growing up in the townships of Cape Town to singing in the opera houses of Europe comes to life in the tracks on this CD. Highlight "classical" tracks ( all the tracks are magnificent though!) include O Mio Babbino Caro and Donde Lieta Usci from La Boheme. All of the South African pieces are amazing including the famous Makeba song Pata Pata. The magnificent Thula Baba, a lullaby in Xhosa and Zulu and the famous wedding song,Click Song,featuring the Xhosa click consonants are outstanding. For sheer vocal and orchestral beauty the track Lakutshon'ilanga (When The Sun Sets), the song that made Makeba famous in the 1959 film Come Back, Africa, is hauntingly beautiful featuring amazing lyrics and orchestration featuring the sounds of nature and seagulls! The bonus track is Freedom, Come All Ye that Pumeza sang very recently at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games to great acclaim.

Tracklist:
1 01. Pumeza Matshikiza - "O mio babbino caro" (02:22)
1 02. Pumeza Matshikiza - "Signore, ascolta!" (02:49)
1 03. Iain Farrington - Traditional: Thula Baba (03:11)
1 04. Iain Farrington - Fedhile: Malaika (02:47)
1 05. Iain Farrington - Makeba: Pata Pata (02:10)
1 06. Iain Farrington - Thomas: The Naughty Little Flea (03:08)
1 07. Pumeza Matshikiza - "Vedrai, carino" (03:28)
1 08. Pumeza Matshikiza - "Donde lieta uscì" (03:07)
1 09. Iain Farrington - Volans: Umzi Watsha (03:28)
1 10. Iain Farrington - Saduva (02:43)
1 11. Iain Farrington - Holilili (03:12)
1 12. Iain Farrington - The Click Song (02:27)
1 13. Iain Farrington - Makeba: Iya Gaduza (01:39)
1 14. Iain Farrington - Lakutshon Ilanga (03:28)
1 15. Pumeza Matshikiza - Freedom Come All Ye (04:19)