Ofra Haza: Barefoot

Written by Gina Perregrino

Mezzo-soprano

In category: Song of the Day

Published February 7, 2020

The call to pursue opera came very naturally to me because of my love for language and travel, and the joy I receive from exploring culture and human connection. I must say, I have always been somewhat of a “strange bird” with my vast taste in music since I was a child. When I was a young girl growing up in a very American household, my parents would often come home to me watching Spanish Telenovelas or dancing to Bollywood. That being said, I have always been drawn to the sense of mystery in Middle Eastern music. The modes are full of this mysticism that is both dangerous and seductive to me.

My last song is by one of my favorite artists Ofra Haza. Her life story is as unique as the timbre of her voice. As a fellow singer, I am captivated by visceral singers, and within Ofra’s voice there is always an intimate cry. What I also love about this song in particular is the ability she has to communicate a profoundly complex story with very few words (and I don’t even speak the language!). 

This is “Barefoot”sung in Hebrew from her 1992 album Kirya

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Praised by Opera News and ArtsATL as a “standout”, young American mezzo Gina Perregrino is already garnering attention on stages around the country. In 2018, she made her company debut with the Santa Fe Opera as Paquette in Candide, where she returned in 2019 to sing the role of Pastuchyna in Janáček’s Jenůfa and was awarded a grant. In 2017, Gina made her company debut at Central City Opera where she sang the title role in a performance of Carmen. She has also been heard at Minnesota Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Lyric Opera of Guatemala, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Delaware, Opera Philadelphia, Dallas Opera, and The Atlanta Opera. Gina was a NYFOS 2019 Schwab Vocal Rising Star and particularly loves boleros, rancheros, and Neapolitan song. She is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

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