Opera Singers Unite To Sing ‘We Are Samoa’; CD Now on Sale

PRESS RELEASE

Opera Nation Samoa Tsunami

[tweetmeme]Samoan Tsunami sets off Operatic Waves

Samoan opera singers from around the world have come together to record Jerome Grey’s iconic song ‘We Are Samoa’ to raise funds for the victims of the devastating tsunami that struck the islands.

International opera star Jonathan Lemalu, the 2009 Lexus Aria Soprano Aivale Cole and multi-award winning tenor Ben Makisi are among the singers that have recorded the single as part of ‘Opera Nation Samoa Tsunami’ (ONSTsU).

Together with Samoa-based soprano Daphne Collins, bass baritone Eddie Muliaumaseali’i and opera singer Sani Muliaumaseali’i, their classical treatment of ‘We Are Samoa’, arranged by composer Opeloge Apulu Ah Sam and backed by the MV Ensemble, will be launched in Auckland on Tuesday December 8.

Sani Muliaumaseali’i, who started the ONSTsU initiative from London, says: “This project was borne out of a need to help all victims of this disaster, first and foremost to help the victims who live in Samoa and who suffered directly and secondly for the many, like myself, who live abroad but also suffer because Samoa lives in us.”

The tsunami killed 186 people when it struck in September, 143 of those in Samoa, and aid such as health care, clean water and emergency shelter is much needed.

“There’s so much to be done to help the recovery and as singers we’ve tried to contribute in a way that reflects Samoa’s spirit,” says Muliaumaseali’i. “We want to raise funds for those affected but also contribute something people around the world can hopefully find a little comfort in after such a trauma.”

All proceeds from the sale of the single will go to the International Red Cross in Samoa.

The CD single of ‘We Are Samoa’ will be available to order at the launch event at Oceanikart Gallery in Auckland, 6pm-8pm Tuesday December 8 and to buy by download that day for US$7.50 from http://www.operanationsamoa.com.