Tarja - 'Diva' (Circus Life)

Δεύτερος συνεχόμενος (και ένατος συνολικά) ζωντανά ηχογραφημένος δίσκος για την Tarja Turunen. Φέρει τον τίτλο "Circus Life", κυκλοφόρησε στα μέσα του τελευταίου ανοιξιάτικου μήνα (16 Μαΐου 2025) σε 2CD + blu-ray, τριπλό βινύλιο, Blu-ray και σε ψηφιακή μορφή μέσω της δισκογραφικής εταιρείας earMUSIC και αφορά στην εμφάνισή της στην πρωτεύουσα της Ρουμανίας πριν από πέντε έτη.

Η Tarja Turunen (ή Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen Cabuli όπως είναι το πλήρες ονοματεπώνυμό της) έγινε γνωστή λόγω της παρουσίας της στους Nightwish, στους οποίους ήταν μέλος (τραγουδίστρια) από το 1996 έως και το 2005.

Μετά το "διαζύγιό" της με τους Φινλανδούς metallers ασχολείται (κυρίως) με την προσωπική της καριέρα έχοντας κυκλοφορήσει εννέα "ολοκληρωμένους" δίσκους, πέντε EPs, εννέα live albums, μπόλικα (κοντά στα σαράντα) singles και δύο συλλογές.

Δελτίο τύπου: «Recorded in January 2020, in Bucharest, Romania, the ‘Circus Life’ show was one of a kind when Tarja performed in this very special ‘in the round’ format.

2 hours of powerful music featuring a setlist that spans Tarja’s career, including all of her greatest hits such as ‘I Walk Alone’, ‘Until My Last Breath’ and ‘Innocence’, as well as fan favourites like ‘Victim Of Ritual’ and ‘Demons In You’, showcasing her evolution as an artist.

Featuring 16 accomplished musicians, including her brother Toni, a diverse ensemble from various stages of her career, it was an extraordinary event. All songs were provided with new arrangements just for this concert, making the show a unique experience for the long-time Tarja fan, as well as the first-time listener.

‘Circus Life’ was recorded in one take, 100% live - no re-recordings, no overdubs, no special effects. Just pure, raw music.»

Tarja: «There are many things I will always remember from the recording of ‘Circus Life’, but the whole concept of togetherness in that round circle is something that I will never forget.

It was different to have that type of stage; I could chill, walk around, sing and rock out with everyone, and it was so wonderful to have that access to everyone and everything.

This show is already a treasured memory, and for now, I will happily settle for the thought that hopefully we will do it all over again... one day... somehow. I really love the Circus Life recording, which features sixteen musicians, and is 100% live.

There are no backing tracks or re-recorded sections whatsoever. That was always the idea, and I am glad we did it that way. Of course, there is the odd mistake during the two-hour plus performance.

We all make mistakes, and I will happily admit that I can hear myself wrong lyrics and occasionally a bit out of tune, but it is all part of that wonderful night. This is what I wanted to capture, the uniqueness of what we had right there in that particular moment with those amazing musicians.

When I watch the footage, it still gives me a shiver. I remember when I looked at everyone, how happy they were. If I talked to them today, I know they all enjoyed doing a show in that format and I’m sure they would all love to do it again.

When we were planning it, we thought about where we might put the screens or place some effects for a normal, front-facing stage, but in the end, we went with an “In the Round” type of show. Due to that, no large video-screens or any effects were used.

At the other end of the spectrum, thanks to the circular nature of the stage, we had this stunning light show. It was perfect for that venue, which is home to the city’s circus and where the concert’s name came from. We also decided against things like pyros because the show was all about the music.

That was the most important thing - it was about live music, emotions, and friendships. We pulled out all the stops when it came to the musicians; we had two keyboard/piano players, drums and percussion players, two bassists and three guitar players, who often played at the same time.

It was fabulous to create the arrangements for such a talented group of people and for so many performers. We made sure that everyone knew the arrangements and what they were doing even before they arrived at the rehearsals. We practiced for three days in a huge room in the Czech Republic and then did one rehearsal show in Prague; the show we filmed in Bucharest for this release was the second performance.»