"A WOMAN AND HER WORDS" The Story of Tahirih [Cast Recording]

Starring Tadia as Tahirih. Featuring Parke McAlister as the Journalist. (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2002)
• Original Release Date: April 1, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Pure One Music
• ASIN: B00006S4G7
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,404 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Bongi Mohale, CUE Newspaper, Standard Bank International Arts Festival 1999, Grahamstown, South Africa

...Absolutely sensational! Tadia...meanders with ease through different styles of singing, never once leaving the audience behind.

Product Description

A WOMAN AND HER WORDS is a remarkable theater production based on the true story of Tahirih, a woman whose compelling but obscure life has been hidden from the western world until now. From the opening scene to the show's dramatic and triumphant conclusion Tadia gives a performance that is spellbinding. She brings Tahirih to life and becomes the 19th century notable Persian poetess and Eastern woman writer with haunting power. From suffering to serenity, from victim to victory, it is the quest for truth that grounds the lead character in her story. It is Tahirih's ultimate triumph that leaves the audience feeling empowered. The intellectual mystery of Tahirih’s heroic life and her literary works demonstrate her enduring commitment to an ethical imperative for a new age. She was far ahead of her time, and in spite of her untimely and tragic death, her courage remains an inspiration to all. Ongoing historical events of the nineteenth century Western world are juxta! posed against the dramatic circumstances of Tahirih's life in Persia, allowing the audience a more global context with which to relate to the story of an Eastern woman who defied convention.

Parke McAlister, whose journalist character is well developed, is a witness to the legend of Tahirih. He weaves a verbal tapestry of his time and world as he includes the plight of women, slaves, Native Americans and struggling nations around the globe. McAlister's voice and mannerism's are realistically 1800's. His character establishes a credible and intimate relationship with the audience while Tadia delivers the poetry of Tahirih with a strong vocal personality and a mystical quality to match. Her voice vibrates the house as she explores melodic expressions with a sweet sensuality that can only be described as a silky velvet wrapped in satin. Powerfully controlled, Tadia is a master of vocal color and texture singing jazz to new age, gospel to spoken word, pop ballad to operatic -- all as fitting tributes to her subject. Tadia's vocal quality shines with a glow that matches her character's reputation as the most beautiful woman of Persia. What I also believe is that Tadia! conveys something else to the audience without any words: that she has an undeniable spiritual bond with her character.

A WOMAN AND HER WORDS makes important points about social equality, and the never ending challenge of the relationship between men and women. This show is well worth seeing, maybe even twice depending on your gender.

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