She has recorded more than 100 songs throughout her singing career. Photo: Nora Ariffin/Instagram
Three decades after embarking on her singing career and with 18 solo and compilation albums under her belt, Datuk Nora Ariffin is finally staging a solo concert, which is slated for Dec 18.
The Bintang HMI 1991 winner can be considered one of the country’s popular singers, standing alongside prominent local artistes known by even today’s generation.
Nora, who delivered several hit songs such as Renungan Terakhir and whose first album sold 100,000 units and has fans in Brunei and Indonesia, should have by now performed in a solo concert but never had that opportunity.
Thanks to the Ministry of Communications’ Creative Content Fund for the nation’s film and music sectors, Nora managed to get a grant to organise her first solo concert.
She said all these years she had struggled to find sponsors and almost gave up on her dream of performing in a solo concert.
"I felt hurt especially when I saw new artistes easily holding their own concerts,” she said, adding, "After my husband (the late composer Johan Nawawi) passed away in 2017, I almost gave up on the dream of having a solo concert because I had lost my support system.
"Through the approval of this grant, I’m finally able to realise my dream. I’ve waited a long time for this moment and I will surely give my best to my fans.”
Nora, whose real name is Wan Norafizah Wan Ariffin and is known for her prowess in the pop, ballad and R&B genres, was speaking at a press conference here recently to announce her first concert.
Her concert, titled Hanya Satu: Datuk Nora Ariffin (30 Years Journey), is organised by the singer’s own company Johan Nawawi Sdn Bhd, with the support of the Ministry of Communications and MyCreative Ventures Group.
It will take place on Dec 18 at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJ Pac) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
"When I found out that the government grant application was approved, it was like a boost for me and my team to proceed with the concert plans, even though we are still concerned about potential challenges ahead.
"I greatly appreciate the government’s support in providing opportunities for artistes of my generation to hold at least one solo concert in their lifetime,” said Nora, who has recorded more than 100 songs throughout her singing career.
Meanwhile, concert manager Alita Aris said PJ Pac was chosen as the venue because Nora’s team wanted to stage an exclusive and intimate concert for the singer’s loyal fans who have supported her for the past 30 years.
She also said industry veterans Jennifer Thompson and Aubrey Suwita are also involved in the concert as show director and music director respectively.
The two-hour concert will see Nora performing 17 popular and timeless songs from her 18 albums, including Di Persimpangan Dilema, Naluri (Hadirlah Kekasih), Sandiwara, Menyemai Cinta Bersamamu, Renungan Terakhir and Jentayu.
There will also be a special segment titled Tribute To Johan Nawawi to honour the late composer who was instrumental in Nora’s success as a singer.
Tickets, priced between RM108 and RM518, are available at www.onetix.com.my. – Bernama
