A symbolic landmark for the historical relationship between Brazil and The Netherlands is the Maurício de Nassau Bridge in Recife, which is a perfect replica of a bridge crossing the Amstel river in Amsterdam. This landmark has been the source of inspiration to create ‘The Bridge’.
Both born on an island, Lenine and Martin Fondse cross this transatlantic bridge. ‘The bridge is neither to go nor to come, the bridge is the crossing…’ as in the song A Ponte that inspired the show’s concept.
The repertoire consists of highlights from Lenine’s career, such as Jack Soul Brasileiro, Paciência and A Ponte, as well as new songs in original and electrifying adaptations for the Martin Fondse Orchestra.
The Bridge had its premiere in the spring of 2013 on renowned European festivals like Moers and Music Meeting Nijmegen and was received enthusiastically by press and audience. It was listed as the top 10 concerts in The Netherlands of 2013 by Jazzism Magazine.
As a result of this successful collaboration Lenine and Martin Fondse Orchestra performed The Bridge on main stages of most of the major cities in Brazil last October. Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis and Brasília were amongst these metropoles. They reached an audience of thousands of people in a two and a half week tour.
The project worked on either theatrical venues, with an intimate atmosphere (Rio de Janeiro/Theatro Net Rio), as well as on open air big pop stages (Brasília/Esplanada dos Ministérios: 15.000 people).
Line Up
Lenine (Brazil) – Vocals, Guitar, Compositions
Martin Fondse (Netherlands) – Piano, Vibrandoneon, Arrangements
Dirk-Peter K?lsch (Germany) – Drums
Eric van der Westen (Netherlands) – Bass
Mete Erker (Netherlands/Turkey) – Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet
Irma Kort (Netherlands) – Oboe, English Horn
S?ren Siegumfeldt (Denmark) – Tenor Sax
Vera van der Bie (Netherlands) – Violin
Herman van Haaren (Netherlands) – Violin
Annie Tangberg (Norway) – Cello
Press Quotes
(…) Lenine’s work consists of the most beautiful songs that came out from Brazil in the last 20 years. Fondse translated his love for Lenine’s music in his beautiful arrangements. This concert is nothing more than electrifying! – Jazzism Magazine
“Impeccable and magnificent concert in intension and execution. In this Orchestral Bridge, Fondse leads the music of Lenine to a sublime dimension” – Mauro Ferreira
“The concert was raw, inspired and orchestrated beautifully. Lenine is a super charismatic person/man. The combination with Martin Fondse (NL) and his super orchestra, who also arranged Lenine’s music, completed it all. Goose bumps. For everybody around me, by the way” – Tineke van Brederode, from MixedWorldMusic.com
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