One time Latvian winner Marie N (Marija Naumova) has since her victory in 2002 with the latino inspired I Wanna gone on to become one of the most popular artists in her native country. Since her victory, she has tried her hand at various musical genres but seems to have tapped into an insatiable Latvian appetite for all things French!
Marija Naumova has already recorded an album in French, Ma Voix, ma Voie way back in 2001. She had studied French, so it should perhaps come as no surprise that earlier this spring, Naumova held a string of concerts in her native Latvia with the French theme Midnight in Paris. Her concerts were called Pusnakts Parīzē and were an immediate hit, so much so that the multilingual singer has decided to give in to popular demand and hold a number of concerts again, this time at open air venues in Aluksne, Sigulda and Jurmala. But it wasn’t just demand from fans that spurred Naumova to announce further dates, as the singer herself states on her website: "The spring concerts gave me immense satisfaction, as fans clearly showed their appreciation both for the concert programme and the musicians taking part."
Midnight in Paris will be recreated in August with slight modifications, with the aim of making the whole experience musically and emotionally richer as well as making it easier for the audience to follow the theme throughout the show. Also guesting the concerts this summer will be Samy Daussat, quite a well known French jazz guitarist. As with her previous concerts, the talented Ms Naumova will be backed by the Vidzeme Chamber Orchestra, under the watchful eye of conductor Andris Veismanis, together with numerous other French guests, such as Tony Bonfils and François Parisi. Concert goers will be treated to Naumova’s own interpretation of such classic Edith Piaf numbers such as Milord, as well as La Vie En Rose and Une Vie D’Amour. The concerts will be held on the 17th, 29th and 31st of August and tickets are available on the website www.bilesuparadize.lv
Such is Naumova’s love for all things French, that she is currently residing in France with her family, but is returning to her native Latvia to hold these concerts.
