Barbra Arrives in Switzerland

June 22, 2007
From the Swiss Jewish weekly, "Tachles"  (Translated from the original German text)

A Musical Trip Through Time
by Yves Kugelmann and Katja Behling

It was an extraordinary moment when Barbra Streisand first stepped on stage. She received a standing ovation with just her first song. With worldwide focus on the astronomical ticket prices of her European tour, the majority of the proceeds earmarked for Barbra Streisand's foundation in support AIDSs and cancer research, and with the mysterious quality of a woman who for the past 47 years has been a top draw as an actress, entertainer and singer, her concert kickoff in Zürich is a historic moment.

Streisand enchanted her audience with a journey through her musical history, always drawing on Broadway, and occasionally accompanied by four male Broadway singers. Big band, swing, ballads, film scores, musicals - Barbra offered a variety for everyone. Barbra began the evening with spirit, humor and wit, telling of her dining excursions throughout Zürich, or joking about herself and her career. The humor was a good way to start to the show, but then it was time for the music. It was Streisand's "Yentl" song ("Papa...") (Streisand: "A song for my father, for all our fathers") and "Somewhere" (from "West Side Story"), performed with strength and emotion that best displayed Streisand's technical vocal qualities. These songs were two of the evening's emotional and inspirational highlights. The others were just as impressive: classics like "Funny Girl," "Evergreen," "The Music of the Night," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," "Have I Stayed Too Long at The Fair," "My Shining Hour" and "Don't Rain On My Parade."

If you took a poll, it would be clear that Barbra Streisand is the most beloved female singer of the 20th century. She once referred to herself as "an actress who sings," but she's also a composer, director, Broadway star, and a writer with an honorary PhD.

Charismatic Superstar
This exceptional 65 year old artist stands atop the list when it comes to record sales, and for almost half a century, she's been on the world stage. At the age of 13, this daughter of Jewish parents recorded two songs for a demo record. Her father died young, and even though the ambitious Barbra was never encouraged by her mother, she began working in New York nightclubs as a teenager. Her first success came in 1960. In 1962, she signed her first recording contract. She won two Grammys in 1963 for her first LP, "The Barbra Streisand Album," including "Best Album of the Year." At that time, Streisand was the youngest artist ever to be so honored. Her first Broadway outing in "I Can Get It For You Wholesale" brought her a New York Drama Critics Award and a Tony nomination. She won the "Best Actress" Oscar in 1968 for her film debut in "Funny Girl." A second Oscar would follow. With 1983's "Yentl," she set a precedent as the first woman to write, produce, direct and star in a big budget film while being responsible for the business side as well.  She was also the first woman to win an Oscar as a songwriter, for "Evergreen," from the 1975 film "A Star Is Born."

Streisand is the only artist to have won Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Peabody and the AFI Lifetime Achievement awards. And more times than any other artist. Even with so many awards to her credit, the successful "actress who sings," shied away from public performances, but made a big concert comeback in 2006 in the States. Sales of her albums break all records. She enjoyed one of her greatest successes with "Guilty" in 1980, produced in conjunction with Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees. Having sold over 20 million records, the duo reunited 25 years later with "Guilty Pleasures." But Streisand was not only successful at singing pop and ballads. In 1976 she received a Grammy nomination for her album, "Classical Barbra." One of her Christmas albums makes an annual appearance on the charts. Her Millennium concert was one of the most watched events at the turn of the century.

An Exceptional Artist in Many Respects
With over 50 gold and 30 platinum records and several number one albums to her credit, she is without doubt the most successful female recording artist of the past 35 years. Streisand beats out not only every other woman in show business, including Madonna, but also The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Only Elvis Presley out ranks her, particularly in the concert category. Bearing in mind how much the rock genre has dominated the pop scene over the past four decades, Streisand has still managed to remain the most successful female recording artist. Perhaps not always mainstream, she nevertheless remains the all time chart leader. In 1995, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Brandeis University for her overall excellence as an artist. She was recognized by the French government for her body of work, and in 2004 she was honored for her humanitarian efforts with the Human Rights Campaign. Streisand was and is politically and socially aware. As founder of the Streisand Foundation and an activist for worldwide environmental causes, she promised to dedicate millions from the proceeds of her 2006 comeback concerts to support related political agendas. At one time it was Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin, singing and performing on stage in harmony. Streisand stands in this tradition as well. By enchanting her audience in Zürich, she was building bridges and profoundly connecting with her public.