LISSETTE DUEÑA DEL ESCENARIO
Fotos cortesía de René Hernández
Reportaje para LIN Por Ada Lawniczak
El pasado sábado 20 de abril, Lissette regresó al reconocido escenario del Tropigala con un show distinto y refrescante a lo que normalmente nos tiene acostumbrados. En años recientes sus presentaciones en la capital del sol han sido parte de eventos especiales y promociones. En esta ocasión Lissette se lució como interprete, sin entrar en elaboradas y enérgicas coreografías, disfrutamos de la estrella al natural. Su presencia escénica y su voz enmarcaron el show convirtiéndola así en la Dueña del Escenario.
Como preámbulo a su entrada y con el trasfondo de su canción Regresaré, tres pantallas simultáneas presentaron etapas de su evolución artística. Su canción "Trampas de Luz" fue el despegue de una velada muy acogedora. "Vivo", "Como Decirte" y "Fuego" fueron el mejor aperitivo.
A petición del público, Lissette cantó "Poema 20" acompañada al piano por el maestro Milton Sesentón, en un excelente arreglo. Y en el baúl de los recuerdos encontramos el traje de Lola (de Copacabana), una ratonera que usó el rantoncito Miguel de balsa para salir de Cuba. Ese baúl es muy especial; él tiene tantas historias que contar, de la cual su gente es un poco cómplice. Lissette seleccionó éstas que contarnos...."Falsedad", "Quiereme", "Martes a las 2 de la tarde", "Debut y Despedida", "Justo Yo", "Copacabana". En varias ocasiones, se escuchó cantar al público; un público emocionado que no dejaba de aplaudirla y expresar su cariño a la Diva de la Balada. En un momento alguien del público le dijo "Lissette, Puerto Rico te ama,.." a lo Lissette respondió, "y yo amo a Puerto Rico mucho".
Escuchamos las favoritas "A veces", "Pánico organizado", "Eva", "Lo voy a dividir", "Maniquí", "Bello Idiota", "Luna Llena", en fin, este show fue un banquete de éxitos. Nicole Chirino y Michael Cosculluella hicieron un maravilloso trabajo como coros. Lissette interpretó a dúo con Michael, el romántico tema "Apaga la Luz". Nicole acompañó a Lissette en el tema "Para Siempre". Nicole hizo su debut oficial en el Tropigala con un tema de su autoría titulado "Junto a Ti" abriendo paso a la nueva generación Chirino-Alvarez.
Entre los asistentes se encontraban muchas personalidades reconocidas del medio artístico, Olga Choréns, Marisela Verena, Willy Chirino, Jorge Luis Piloto compositor de "A veces", uno de los temas preferidos de nuestra estrella. También Juan Marcelo el compositor de Salvaje. Merece una nota especial el vestuario que Lissette escogió para el show. El vestuario fue sencillamente espectacular. Lissette lució elegantes modelos ceñidos al cuerpo, que entre las luces y escenografía fueron el marco perfecto de una noche mágica.
Innovodara, perfeccionista y comprometida con su arte y su público, Lissette rompió con la tradición para dejar claro que el talento no necesita envolturas, su voz y su carisma fueron su mejor carta de presentación y esa eterna Luz volvió a brillar.
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Trasvasdidores también fue mucha la emoción, saludos, fotos (¡y vaya que se tomaron fotos!). Fue lindo conocer a otros miembros del grupo del Lissette's International Network, después de tantos emails y varios años, no hicieron falta las palabras, un sincero y cálido abrazo sello nuestro encuentro, no podía ser de otra forma.
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A Very Special Day in the Life of the Santini Family
By Abe Santini
April 20, 2002, was the beginning of a most beautiful day in the life of the SANTINI family. We were all going to see THE LADY OF SONG, LISSETTE at the Tropigala in Miami Beach. We had never been there. A long day was awaiting us.
Liza-Marie, my 11 year old daughter, was scheduled for Brevard County' School District (Space Coast) HERSHEY TRACK COMPETITIONS at 8:00 AM. She was considered one of the main competitor's for the standing long jump, the 100 meter dash, and the 4 x 100 meter dash. She was wonderful. She jumped 6 feet in the standing long jump. We were all very happy for her. We went to Wendy's for lunch and then began our 200 mile journey to Miami Beach. We planned to get there by 3:00 PM since we had reservations at the Fontainebleau Hilton just to see LISSETTE.
Well, the day before, I had car problems so I had to get a rental. No CD in the rental. there WAS a tape player so I took all my CD tapes and listened to MANIQUI and ASUNTOS DE MUJER as I drove towards Miami with Yolanda (my wife and better half), Liza-Marie, and our 15 year old son Michael-Julien. Liza and Michael listened to his rock music on CD's and Liza either listened to LISSETTE or listened to MOULIN ROUGE's CD. Yolanda was busy reading her OPRAH magazine. I enjoyed the music again and again and again. Halfway there, I received a call from my dear friend HECTOR. We were both eager to see LISSETTE at the Tropigala and made arrangements to meet before the show. The event was getting closer. My dream was coming true.
We arrived at the Fontainebleau Hilton on time. We checked in, went to our room, changed clothed, and went to the pool. We spent that afternoon sun bathing and enjoying the hotel's pool. The moment was getting closer. After the pool, we went back to our room, and rested for an hour before we got ready for the show. I contacted Ada, another LISSETTE fan. She had just come from Texas to see LISSETTE. We had never met but seemed to know each other pretty well since we both enjoyed the same music and adored our LISSETTE. We agreed to meet at the TROPIGALA before the show. The event was getting closer. Hector called as we were all getting ready. He was here. How exciting. At last the night was about to begin. Hector and I had made separate reservations a month earlier demanding the best seats in the house. Would this night be perfect? We would soon find out.
Well, Hector finally met my family and I met his friend. It was a nice warm encounter. Hector is a soul friend whom I met and became very close to via the Internet due to our LISSETTE. We had shared wonderful experiences regarding the impact LISSETTE's music has had in our lives for over 30 years. These are beautiful and powerful experiences, but that's another story.
There was a long line for the show. I feared the worst. As I approached the counter I was informed that I had no reservation. I then demanded the best seat in the house since I had been waiting for this moment for the past 25 years. I also stated that this was a family event and it's only intention was to see my beloved LISSETTE. I wanted my kids to see who there Dad was so crazy about. They were kind and with some persuasion, my wish was granted. We were seated up front. A few feet away from the stage. I was beginning to get nervous. I was so excited.
Well,...... we ate dinner, saw the first show, danced, and waited for LISSETTE's show to begin. The Michael and Liza were in awe. They had never had an experience like this before. Meanwhile, Hector came in and was also able to get good seats. He sat a table away from us. We were excited and shared our thoughts and feelings. We looked around the room and saw a woman. I believed it could be Ada. I introduced myself and -low and behold-it was Ada. We smiled introduced ourselves- as well as our spouses- and looked for Hector. Ada then took Hector and I to meet Viviane. I had shared some emails with Viviane and had also agreed to meet her at the Tropigala. When we meet, she became excited too. We were all behaving like little kids. It was GREAT!!! What a night. What an event. What glee! I was so excited. I know I couldn't hide it. I believed it showed. LOL!!!
It was midnight, the show was about to begin. Three large screens began to show LISSETTE as a baby, as a child, and as a young woman. In the background you could here her sing REGRESARE. My daughter looked for her and said, "Daddy, there she is behind the screen!". And there she was, MY LADY OF SONG, LISSETTE. She looked stunning. She was beautiful! Then she sang TRAMPAS DE LUZ. I was hypnotized. For the next 2 hours I could not take my eyes off her as I took pictures, sang with her, and enjoyed every move, every song, every word. WHAT AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT!!! By the end of the concert, my cheeks ached from smiling too much. Yolanda, my wife, added that she believed every time LISSETTE looked our way, she sang for me. I was enchanted. I had been under a spell, a beautiful wondrous spell. I still am.
After the concert. Hector said it was time to meet LISSETTE. We met JOSE, another LISSETTE fan whom I had spoken to before. He had sent me a LISSETTE poster. He is also a very kind devoted fan. We decided to hang out with him. My son, Michael was tired since it was 2:00 AM. Yolanda took him back to the room. My daughter Liza insisted she would stay behind and meet LISSETTE. What a crowd! How exciting and eventful. We saw WILLY CHIRINO, LISSETTE's husband. We met other fans. We were all nervous and excited. We could see people in LISSETTE's dressing room. Then out of the blue, Viviane sees me. She is with LISSETTE. She looks at me, extends her hand, and drags me to see LISSETTE. I was speechless. And there was LISSETTE. All I can remember saying is something like "I have been a fan for over 30 years." Viviane then took a photograph. It was like a dream. I spent the rest of the time just looking. I remember seeing OLGA CHOREN's. LISSETTE's mother. Everyone was so kind and thrilled to be with our STAR, our SPARKLING DIAMOND, our LADY OF SONG.
As we left, the night ended with a big laugh from my daughter as I fell off the stage and could not stop laughing. What can I say I am an old klutz, too. LOL!!! Well, Hector and I said our good-byes. He is a good man and a good friend. We will be for life. I met wonderful people. I had the night of my life. Well, anyone who know me, knows it too. My only regret was that I didn't tell LISSETTE that Gloria Avila wanted to be there. I had promised I'd tell her that and I couldn't even do that. I hope Gloria understands and forgives. When I meet LISSETTE again, I will be able to ask her all the things I have wanted to ask regarding her music, her songs, and her life. I WILL!!!! :-)
In conclusion, I have been driving my family, my coworkers, and my students crazy this week. All they have been hearing is LISSETTE LISSETTE LISSETTE. LOL! !! And then, I wonder........when will LISSETTE come to Orlando? LOL!!!!!
I must thank you all, but I must give my beloved LISSETTE a special one.....THANKS!!
Sincerely,
Abe Santini
:-)
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