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Sept 23, 2008

ROLL OVER HANDEL

On Sunday, 21 September we premiered the new work JOYFUL NOISE: HANDEL’S MESSIAH ROCKS at Boston’s Cutler Majestic Theatre for a rapturous full house and the cameras of PBS. I believe they are going to air it at Christmas time. It is a wonderful piece of work, and I believe it has a big future. This is only the beginning of the work, and there is so much that can be done with it. I hope it’s full potential will be realised. I am in awe of the talent that I found myself surrounded by. LeChanze has a voice and presence that will continue to ring in my heart and my soul. She is an inspiration to me on and off the stage. I have become her HUGEST fan. J. Robert Spencer is probably one of the funniest guys I have ever met, yet when he goes on stage, his voice sends me whizzing. I am so honoured to be among them, performing this wonderful new work. Let’s not forget the incredible band and this little group called the Boston Pops Orchestra, I am sure Handel would have been proud.

I find myself back in New York, and in Fall (Autumn). This is the best time of the year to be in this city and as the temperature starts to drop, and the colours of the trees start to change, I see a world of possibilities open up. A new beginning, a new start; time to be creative, time to spend with loved ones; a time to look towards the future and to see the beauty in the world and appreciate what is really important in this life.

I have all I need and am truly blessed.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who sent me well wishes for my Tito Ramon's recovery after his massive operation. He is recovering quickly and remarkably and I am sure he will be 110% in no time at all. Thank you for your emails, cards, prayers and thoughts. You have forever been so thoughtful and kind to me. Thank you, thank you.

I am looking forward to seeing the MiG AMP Feature on Channel V Asia that will air on 28 September. I will be able to guide you on how you can see it, no matter where in the world you are. Just stay tuned to mig-music.com.

Love to you and yours,

Always,

MiG
xx

MiG's Post

SEPTEMBER 11, 2008

Yet again I find myself flying into (or out of) New York on September 11. Last year on this day I flew out of NY to Johannesburg to start rehearsals for WE WILL ROCK YOU. Can’t believe it’s already a year since then. So much has happened in that time. But again, on September 11, I find myself en route to New York, sitting on the floor of the departure transit lounge of some airport. In fact I have been flying in or out of NY on this day for the last 4 years! I cannot help but to think about how it must have been to lose someone on this day, seven years ago. It was a day that will always live in infamy and a day that will echo through the halls of history.

Today holds a heavy weight for me, for not only do I remember those who lost their lives on that fateful day, but we buried our good friend Georges today in a beautiful service in Minneapolis. Surrounded by his beloved family and a zillion friends, it became so apparent that this man was universally loved by everyone. He was an expert on how to succeed with financial wealth, but his true lesson to us all was the way he valued his family above all and how every day was a beautiful day for him. He saw the beauty in every thing he saw. He has been an inspiration to me and those who had the honour to meet him. His children (Ally and Joey) and his step-children (Stephanie, Matt and Ryan) vowed that their family would be ok. They all stepped up to the plate and took on the responsibility of continuing Georges’ legacy, with Joey promising her Mum Cindy, “Don’t worry Mom. I got your back!”

Also today, my dear dear sweet Uncle Dr. Ramon Legarda underwent open heart surgery today in New York. The operation was a success, and I know he will be ok. I just wish that if you read this you can just send your prayers and thoughts to him and his family as they are all quite in a state at the moment. I trust my Tito Ramon will be fine in no time, but this day has been very strange. This whole week has been strange.

Wake me up when September ends…

MiG
x

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Sep 7, 2008

Georges Yared

It is with a very heavy heart that I must write about the loss of my very, very dear and wonderful friend, Georges Yared, who passed away very suddenly this morning at his home in Minneapolis. Very seldom do you find someone that is so full of love and warmth that every meeting with that person is an experience you will never forget. I have so many fond and vivid memories of Georges, that I am finding myself so totally in shock and disbelief that someone who shone so bright is no longer with us. From the moment we became friends in London so many years ago, Georges never stopped expressing his love for life, his family and for the endless possibilities that life presents us. He always found the beauty in everyone and everything and his enthusiasm was contagious.

Thousands would seek his financial wisdom by logging on to his website, hearing him on the radio and reading his books. His magnetic personality was heading towards a career in front of the cameras. You couldn’t escape the feeling that we still had not seen the best of Georges.

He leaves behind his wife Cindy and his two beautiful children Ally and Joey. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time. May the love from those around you comfort you, and know that in many ways he will always be with you.

Georges was my friend. His generosity and love inspires me to live my life as he lived it. Every day was the best day of his life, and his family was his life.

I will always hold you in my heart Georges. I love you and will miss you terribly.

Always,

MiG
x

*There's a picture attached, visit www.mig-music.com > diary to see the pic! :)

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Another MiG entry! (:

ACROSS THE POND, AROUND THE WORLD
Wow. So much has happened since I last wrote. Please forgive me for being so absent. I have been jet-setting around the globe again, but am writing this from the solitude of my NY apartment, I am home. Finally. Well, at least for now.

So the Hong Kong trip was a great success. Had a ball meeting old friends at the Elements gig. Got a chance to even hang out in that fabulous city for a few days. The Grand Hyatt came through again with providing me my HK home away from home. It was like visiting my family. The fans that turned up at Elements truly made me feel so welcome. I must return to HK as often as I can. One can never eat too much dim sum!

Then I flew back to London for 2 more QUEEN SYMPHONIC gigs, one at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire (in the Sherwood Forest!), and the last one at the spectacular Arundel Castle. These concerts have been truly such amazing experiences. To see such wonderful places in England, and playing to literally thousands of Queen fans who love the concerts has been incredible. I will never forget them, and I hope we can do more of these. Such awesome fun!

I have been so involved with watching as much of the Olympics as I could, and was so moved by such striving for perfection. The triumph of the human spirit above all adversity will always be my greatest inspiration. To see people at the climax of their careers is such awe inspiring stuff. Also, watching the closing ceremony brought me back 8 years ago when I was a volunteer at the closing ceremony of the Sydney Games in 2000. I was on the Elle Macpherson float at the Aussie Icons parade, dancing around with an 8 foot camera. The best things was just running around and dancing with all the athletes. It was truly like a huge International party. The whole world uniting under the banner of love and friendly competition. I was so moved by the spirit of the athletes and the perfection and precision of the Chinese performers. It truly is the greatest show on Earth. To be In London as they did the ‘hand-over’ ceremony was kinda cool too, The 2012 London games will be so cool and awesome. I’m sure very different to the Beijing games, but just as spectacular, in a very British way!

But I am home. I have just under a week’s break before starting rehearsals here in New York for HANDEL’S MESSIAH ROCKS. I am very excited about this new project. This is a new take on George Frederic Handel’s MESSIAH, first performed in 1742. The new arrangements for orchestra, rock band, choir and soloists are nothing short of breath-taking. The single performance is scheduled for 21 September, 2008 in Boston, but they plan to film the concert and televise it on PBS, and if all goes well, there might even be more concerts like this later on.

Have I mentioned I’m home? Almost unbelieveable. I have been travelling now for 11 months, and am so excited about finally unpacking my bags and being with my girls. New York is my home now. I feel it and love it.

I am home.

Always love,

MiG
x