Europe Finally Gets Barbra

December 31, 2007
It was a year of extensive international concert touring, a new album, a Grammy nomination, a prestigious international honor, and of course, political involvement. As 2007 draws to a close, we'd like to take a moment and reflect on Barbra Streisand's extraordinary career accomplishments over the past year.
 

With Bill Clinton in Beverly Hills April 16 In April, Barbra was in Beverly Hills with former president Bill Clinton at the National Breast Cancer Coalition fundraiser. She didn't perform, but was on hand to pay tribute to president Clinton's mother, Virginia Kelley, who succumbed to the disease in 1994.

"Streisand Live in Concert 2006" May 9 Barbra's concert album hit the record stores. The pairing of the best vocals from several of her US concerts with Bill Ross's magnificent orchestrations turned this album into the finest technical recording of a live Streisand concert ever to be captured on CD or vinyl.

Performing in Paris June 18 This was the year Barbra finally performed in Europe, and fans from Zurich to Dublin finally got their chance to see her up close and personal. In June and July, Barbra took the continent by storm with a series of dazzling concerts in seven cities, receiving critical acclaim and breaking house records all along the way. 28 Barbra remained in Paris a few days after her concert to be received by the president of France. At an official state ceremony, president Sarkozy presented Barbra with the Legion of Honor award, her second such honor. 29 We noted the passing of entertainment journalist, and frequent Streisand interviewer Joel Siegel.

At Berlin's Jewish Museum July 1 In Berlin, Barbra took some private time after her concert to explore the city and to reflect upon its history. Barbra and her husband chose to spend a poignant wedding anniversary by visiting Berlin's Jewish museum and its special holocaust remembrance gallery. 22 We noted the passing of What's Up, Doc? cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs.

Luciano Pavarotti September 6 We noted the passing of opera great Luciano Pavarotti, whose vocals provided the musical climax to The Mirror Has Two Faces.

Enrico Banducci October 9 We noted the passing of Enrico Banducci, owner of The Hungry i nightclub in San Francisco, where Barbra appeared during the early years of her career.

At Planet Hollywood November 17 Returning stateside, it didn't take Barbra too long to get back to work despite suffering a minor gardening injury to her leg. By mid-November, she was back on her feet again, headlining in Vegas at a private performance to celebrate the opening of Planet Hollywood hotel and casino. 28 Barbra returned to the political scene in late November with a passionate endorsement of Hillary Clinton as the nominee for the democratic party's presidential ticket, her first official involvement with the current presidential campaign.

Michael Kidd December 6 And to cap off a spectacular year for our favorite recording artist, Barbra's album, Streisand Live in Concert 2006 received a Grammy nomination. 22 Barbra's 1973 single, "The Way We Were" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the fourth Streisand recording to be so honored. 23 We noted the passing of choreographer Michael Kidd, who gave Barbra her wonderful dance moves in Hello, Dolly!.