Yael the French connection at big Loftus Test
Lira and Bobby van Jaarsveld to share the stage
JOBURG-born singer Yael will get her big break this weekend when she performs at tomorrow’s rugby Test between South Africa and France.
The songstress, who lives in Illovo, will be in good company as she is set to share the stage with some of the country’s leading singers. They includes Lira (real name Lerato Molapo), who is also from Joburg and is a multi-platinum-selling and award-winning soul vocalist acclaimed around the world for her fusion of soul, funk and elements of jazz.
Afrikaans pop singer and songwriter Bobby van Jaarsveld will also entertain the crowd of sports lovers at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria tomorrow. Yael is a relative newcomer to the music industry, and is known as a crossover artist as she sings in both English and French, from classical music to pop.
Yael will perform the French national anthem ahead of the South Africa v France series-opening match, while Lira and Van Jaarsveld will perform the South African national anthem.
Together the trio are expected to set the tone for the big match, which is expected to attract a capacity crowd.
Although Yael is relatively new to the game, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase her musical talents.
She added that she is proudly South African and is excited about welcoming the country’s visitors by singing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.
She explained that she learnt to speak French as a child.
“As a child I could sing the anthem, which I learnt at school when I studied French,” she said.
“Although I’m deeply patriotic, it’s a great honour to sing this anthem for our French visitors and to have the opportunity to use my singing as an expression of multiculturalism.
“I truly believe that music can be a universal language, creating unity among us all.”
Apart from English and French, the musician can speak several languages and can sing in eight.
Born into a musical family, she studied piano, ballet and drama as a child, and trained in classical singing from the age of 16.
Last year, Yael released her debut album, Fly Away, which was produced by Richard Loring, winner of a number of lifetime achievement awards.
“The album explores a diverse mix of classical, rock and contemporary songs written by, among others, David Foster, Madonna, Brian May, Mick Jagger, Albert Hammond and Barbra Streisand.”
She added that she has the ability, through her music, to transcend boundaries of culture, race, language and genre through African, European, pop, folk and contemporary music, which blend into one rich experience.