Sophie Cairo in The Pianist And I – Hits Of A Century: She’s So Sublime! ~ Adelaide Fringe 2021 Review

[MUSIC/Contemporary ~AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE~ HUN] Trinity Sessions – Church of the Trinity, Sat 20 Feb. From singing in the Hungarian State Opera Children’s Choir in Budapest and studying classical and jazz voice, then playing to large audiences all over Europe, the US and having UK Club chart hits, to now, a new home in Adelaide. 2019 saw Sophie holidaying here, catching up with friends, then COVID hit and a year later – here she is, living and married in Adelaide and taking part in the Fringe Festival as a local. Sophie’s voice is an experience and a half! In the past she has been invited to open for Lenny Kravitz in his tour of Hungary and to become the new voice of La Bouche (a world touring Eurodance act) on the strength of this voice, along with the charm of her stage presence. There is no doubt about the confidence she has in her voice – she can really power it out and over the octaves –but there is no lack of finesse or delicacy either. The set started with a beautiful a Cappella version of Judy Garland’s Over The Rainbow, then through some classic Gershwin and Cole Porter jazz standards in her own style. Rocking it out with Route 66, Sophie’s versatility is stunning – she threatened to head off into Opera at one point, singing impromptu and off the cuff a complex little melody, laughing along the way, just to show she could! Accompanied by Brenton Foster on electric piano, Brenton was far more than competent, playing tastefully, playfully and with a lovely touch. But there was never any doubt as to who the star was! I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of La Bouche numbers and the chorus had the entire audience readily joining in – that has to be a rarity in a mainly jazz gig! I even recognised the chorus of the big hit – that surprised even me! I have been blessed to experience some fabulous and memorable singers over the past few years – but it is a rare experience to hear a voice like Sophie Cairo in the intimate setting of a church in the Fringe Festival (she has played to audiences of tens of thousands). If you are fan of the female voice then do yourself a favour and jump at the chance to see and hear our newly adopted Adelaidean, Sophie Cairo! 4.5 Stars Clayton Werner #ADLfringe #ClotheslineMag