#SHOWBIZ: Jac's 'Gemilang' night with MPO
PERFORMING with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) was more than just another career milestone for Jaclyn Victor.
Jaclyn Victor's concert with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra held a special meaning for the singer. This was more than a career milestone, it fulfilled a lifelong dream she nurtured since the early days of her career. The event celebrated her two-decade-long artistic growth and took place at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on October 17. About 900 attendees gathered to witness Jaclyn's powerful performance alongside the orchestra under the direction of Ahmad Muriz Che Rose.
The night marked a significant moment in Jaclyn's career, especially given her rise to fame after winning the inaugural season of Malaysian Idol in 2004. Her soulful rendition of "Gemilang," composed by Aubrey Suwito with lyrics by Asmin Mudin, became synonymous with her rise to stardom. The concert featured various classic tracks, international hits, and even a rendition of the famous opera aria "O Mio Babbino Caro" by Giacomo Puccini.
Jaclyn opened the show with "This Is Me," performed by Keala Settle in The Greatest Showman. She then moved on to the Tan Sri P. Ramlee classic "Tungku Sekejap" from her Malaysian Idol days. The concert featured hit songs like "Ikut Rentakku," "Di Bawah Pohon Asmara," "Tiada Lagi Indah," and "Beribu Sesalan," along with international hits from different eras and genres.
Jaclyn paid tribute to iconic voices such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Beyonce, and performed showstoppers like "Natural Woman," "Hero," "When You Believe," "I Surrender," and "Listen."
One of the night's most anticipated challenges was "O Mio Babbino Caro," and Jaclyn rose to the occasion, demonstrating her vocal abilities beyond her familiar repertoire. The concert also featured new symphonic arrangements by various artists. As the night came to a close, Jaclyn returned for two encore performances—"When I Fall in Love" and "Di Bawah Pohon Asmara." Despite the challenging nature of the concert, Jaclyn's light-hearted demeanor and charm complemented her technically demanding performance.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
