Yma Sumac - The Peruvian Songbird
For those who have never heard of her, Yma Sumac is the legendary Peruvian soprano who was said to have been a descendent of the last Inca Emperor. Possessing an astounding five octave range, she passed away in 2008 at the age of 85.
Beginning her career in Peru, she became famous in America, then travelled to Russia and Europe before returning to the States.
Ali McGregor has made Yma a passion of hers and it shows. Being an avid collector of Yma’s legacy she even wears some of her original jewellery. In fact, she embodies Yma, her speech, clothing, movement and most particularly her magnificent voice.
Through McGregor we are taken on a journey of Yma’s life, early career in Peru, stardom in America, her husband’s infidelity, the marriage breakup and her struggle to maintain her career and integrity.
McGregor narrates both as Yma and herself, with this narration liberally sprinkled with anecdotes, songs and video clips projected on a piece of Peruvian art.
To add further authenticity, she wears copies of original gowns obtained from Sumac’s last carer and there are times when you really believe you are in the same theatre with the legend herself.
The evening is set in a black, white and grey set with Peruvian motifs; on one side a six-piece band and on the other a large Peruvian symbol which doubles as a scrim to glimpse scenes from Yma’s life and a screen to show slides and clips of Yma herself.
There are two more performers, a guitarist who also plays her husband Moisés Vivanco, and his assistant and Yma’s cousin Cholita Rivero.
The vocal styles of Sumac are all there – the sounds of the forest which inspired Yma to learn to sing, Peruvian folksong, her famous Mambos and opera classics with a twist all performed with McGregor’s consummate control of a voice that soars to the whistling tone heights and then plunges to the earthy depths.
The audience’s and my favourites of the night were a Mambo version of the Queen of the Night’s Aria from The Magic Flute, several of Yma’s famous Mambos and ‘Vissi d’arte’ from Tosca.
The evening concludes with an encore that celebrates Yma’s life, complete with a compilation of stills that highlight her famous moments.
I have not been to a cabaret performance for a long while where audience and performer are one. McGregor’s engaging style and obvious sincerity and passion for Sumac’s works had the audience cheering and on their feet at the end of the night.
In these days of ‘The Voice’, where voices are digitally manipulated to sound impressive it is easy to forget the greats of yesteryear who did not have the benefits of these digital enhancements. Thankfully, Ali McGregor and her devotion to keeping legends alive ensures Yma Sumac will not be forgotten.
Yma Sumac – The Peruvian Songbirdis not a concert, it is an experience that will live in audience’s minds long after the event is over. Bravo!
Barry Hill
Photographer: Clauio Raschella
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