Rita - Live in Concert
Sunday, October 26, 7pm @ Jericho Jewish Center
Join us for an exciting evening of Israeli and Persian Music starring Israeli singer, songwriter, superstar, Rita, with a special performance of Israeli songs sung by Jericho Jewish Center’s own Cantor Barry Black.
RITA is by far the most celebrated and successful singer in Israel. Rita became the hottest star overnight in 1986 following her performance in the pre-Eurovision song contest with the song "Shvil Habriha" ("The Escape Path"). Her debut album, "Rita", which was released the same year and produced by Rami Kleinstein, is the best selling debut album of all time in Israel.
Her second album, "Yemmey Hatom" ("Days Of Innocence") released in 1988, achieved triple platinum status and is considered as one of the cornerstones of Israeli music. That same year Rita was selected to represent Israel in the Eurovision song contest with the song "Shara Barehovot" ("Sings In The Streets"). In 1994, Rita released her third record, "Ahava Gdola" ("Great Love") which also reached triple platinum sales.
During the "Great Love" tour of 1996, Rita released the quadruple platinum selling compilation "Tahanot Bazman" ("Milestones"). "Tiftah Halon" ("Open A Window") Rita's fourth studio album, was released in the end of 1999. It is considered as the most expensive record ever produced in Israel and has achieved quintuple gold status. In March 2003 Rita released her sixth studio album, "Hamzan" ("Oxygen").
In July 2006 Rita launched the show "One". The production was a breakthrough in Israel being a rare combination of experimental visuals and music. Both a DVD and live album were released following the show.
Rita began working with classical ensembles and with acoustic versions of her music, revealing a new side of herself to her devoted audience. Her efforts led her to release the intimate album "Remazim" ("Hints") produced by Israeli rock star, Ivri Lider. Music critics called it an important landmark in Rita's career, and within two months it achieved a platinum status.
In 2008 she was voted the #1 female singer in a special countdown for Israel's 60th anniversary.
During 2009, Rita's song "Love Has Begun" topped the American adult contemporary and indie charts in the US and took a respectful place in the top 40! RITA was nominated for the New Music Weekly Awards as "Top 40 Breakthrough Artist for 2009".
For the first Tel-Aviv Music Festival (October 2009) Rita collaborated with the Israeli band Knessiat Hassehel. The unique collaboration achieved critical acclaim, and as part of it they released to the radio their mutual song "Dai La'Keev" ("No More Pain") - original lyrics to a traditional Persian melody, from Rita's childhood home. The song became a big hit on Israeli radio stations.
In 2010, Rita took part in a student film production called "Son Coming Home", by the promising young director Elad Zakai. The film was accompanied by the song "Boi Imma" ("Come Mother"), Rita's adaptation to the classic children's song. That same year, Rita published her first children's book, "Shiraz's heart". The story is based on Persian folklore Rita has heard many times as a child, and told many times as a mother. The illustrations, by Vali Mintzi, are inspired by the rich artistic world of Persian Jews. "Shiraz's Heart" is in Tzomet Sfarim's Best Sellers list.
During 2010 Rita has also participated in Ilai Botner's album. For the first time in her career, Rita took part in another artist's work as a singer, and not as a partner and creator. Their mutual song "Kol Zikaron Hozer" ("Returning Memory"), written by Ilai Botner with Rita's contributions, became a radio hit.
Also in 2010 Rita has produced a new concert, "Closer than Ever", a series of intimate shows at the Zappa Club in Tel Aviv, in which Rita has performed for the first time. The shows were very successful.
In addition to being a successful Singer, RITA, a graduate of one of the most respected acting schools in Israel, has performed in dozens of plays and movies. In 1989 Rita won "Actress of the Year" in the Israeli cinema awards.
Throughout her career Rita has sold over a million copies of her albums, has won dozens awards acknowledging her contribution and talent and was named the Best Female Performer and Singer of Israel.
Twenty five years after her career began, RITA continues to prove that she is by far the biggest female vocalist Israel has to offer.
These days she is working on a world music oriented album along side well known Israeli music producers. The album is due to be released next year.
Cantor Barry Black was born and raised in Queens, New York. His professional vocal career began at age eighteen, when he was engaged by Congregation Agudath Israel of Miami Beach, thus becoming the youngest cantor in the country. His musical endeavors quickly extended from the synagogue to opera, oratorio, musical theater and concerts throughout the United States and abroad. From 1989 to 1996 he studied voice privately with the legendary Metropolitan Opera tenor Franco Corelli. A lyric tenor, Cantor Black has performed much of the standard operatic repertoire including the works of Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni and Bizet. He has performed in the Yiddish Theatre productions, and is also a member of the New York State Bar. Cantor Black was featured in the role of a cantor in "Liberty Heights," a Barry Levinson film, released December, 1999.Prior to joining the Jericho Jewish Center, Cantor Black served as cantor of several prominent synagogues in Florida and New York. He is an attorney, practicing in New York, and is married to Dorit, also an attorney.