On Aug 27, 2007, the Singapore branch of Tzu Chi Foundation held a charity concert that transcended boundaries; religions, languages and nationalities, inviting well-known Israeli countertenor, David D’Or to perform at Singapore’s world-class Esplanade Concert Hall. An audience of 1,300 graced this musical fusion of love and humanities.

David and his band members received a warm welcome by Tzu Chi representatives at the Changi Airport on Aug 24.

David’s vocal power was like a melody reverberating in the wilderness, exquisite, clear and far-reaching, captivating the audiences’ heart.  Singing with sincerity, he conveyed in his songs the love among all mankind, touching everyone.

The programme consisted of partial Hebrew songs.  David skilfully introduced these songs in English through singing in the prelude so that to the audience were able appreciate the beauty of the lyrics.

The sale from David’s album was wholly donated to Tzu Chi.  In the picture, David was having a pleasant interaction with one of his fans who came to seek for his signature.

Elad Adar, who plays the keyboard, recounted his wonderful experience at the WOMAD 2007 and his acquaintance with his Iranian counterparts on stage despite coming from rival countries.

Mr IIan Ben-Dov and Brother David Liu greeted each other at the charity concert.

Mr Xie Tianfa who almost missed the concert, was deeply touched by David who took an effort reminding the audience to lend a hand to those in need.

Mr Chi Fang Sheng who was at the performance by an Israeli vocalist for the first time, praised David’s unique style of singing as well as the ways he struck a chord with the audience.

On Aug 27, 2007, Tzu Chi Singapore held a charity concert that transcended boundaries, religions, languages and nationalities at Singapore’s world-class Esplanade Concert Hall, inviting well-known Israeli countertenor, David D’Or to sing to the tune of Great Love.  This was held following the enthusiastic response in an international charity concert in Taipei last December. David was once again invited by Tzu Chi Foundation to display his vocal powers, performing from Singapore, Bangkok to Taipei.

The “Voices of Love” charity concert was held in tandem with Singapore’s World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) 2007.  David made use of his rest time after the WOMAD 2007 to perform specially for the Singapore branch of Tzu Chi Foundation.  Despite being unwell, David and his band of seven continued to put up a great performance with his love and strength.

The evening programme was a combination of classical and ethnic music, Broadway musical and David’s self-composed Jewish songs.  There were the well-known Italy song, Caruso, Gerard Butler’s musical opera, The Phantom of the Opera, that has passed on for many years, as well as Imagine, a utopian-themed song written by the late John Lennon. 

David’s vocal power was like a melody reverberating in the wilderness, exquisite, clear and far-reaching.  He conveyed in his songs his sincere wish for world peace and the love among all mankind, captivating the audience in this fusion of love and humanities. 

Conveying the wish for Peace through music

Israel, a country in the Middle East surrounded by Islamic powers, has been under the turmoil of racial, religious and territorial disputes for many years.  Everyday, the people live in fear and jeopardy, wondering what will happen next. 

As David penned his thoughts for his beloved son in the song Tishmor al HaOlam Yeled, which means Protect Our World, Child, he hoped for his child to grow up in an environment of Love and to see all the pleasant things with his beautiful blue eyes. 

All people want to live in peace and harmony and upholding world peace is also the rights of our future generation.  Only when there is love, will there be peace in the world, and the world free of disaster.  Isn’t this too Master Cheng Yen’s (Founder of Tzu Chi Foundation) compassionate vows?

“The Tzu Chi Foundation is very, very close to my heart.” said the winner of the Israel’s of the Year and Best Vocal Performer in 2004. “I had a concert in Taiwan half a year ago for the Tzu Chi Foundation. Since then, I was learning the Foundation and I was reading about it in the Internet. I think this is so important for our world in this period that we’re living in. So, I will do anything that in my help to be a part of this wonderful and amazing Foundation.” David spoke with deep thoughts when questioned on the reason for his performance for Tzu Chi. 

He went on telling that an hour and a half before the concert, he received a call from the Israeli Ambassador based in Taiwan, extending Master Cheng Yen’s blessings to him and the concert, shortly after his meeting with the Master in Hualien. David spoke in delight, “I think the Master is an amazing person. This is exactly what our world needs nowadays."

The “Voices of Love” charity concert was Tzu Chi Singapore’s first attempt in organising a world-class concert.  It was also CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore, Brother David Liu’s initiative to create an opportunity for the Entrepreneurs Association to contribute in charity works.  “Singapore is an urbanized city with excellent and complete infrastructure, highly ideal for organising large-scale, world-class musical concert.”  The reason for putting an utmost effort in organising the concert is to rekindle the wish for peace and to inspire and arouse the love deep in our hearts.

Music Transcends All Boundaries

During the concert, David demonstrated his affinity from the way he connects with the audiences. Everyone stood up and held hands upon his request and learnt to sing along part of a song in Hebrew that eulogised peace.  A sense of togetherness was felt in the air at that very moment.
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“For me, singing is my life. So, to sing for the audience and to see how they are reacting to the music is something very moving.” said David. “You could feel how the music is international. Even though the audience didn’t understand the music and lyric exactly, it’s the heart that understands. And this is the thing that connects us all. And this is what I feel…We’re so close.”

David claimed that the band members were willing to perform with him as they too like him, held Tzu Chi in esteem for the charity deeds it has been doing. “Coming from the Middle East and knowing that how brutal human being can be sometimes, unfortunately. This is why we really want peace in our world.”

The band’s keyboard player Elad Adar recounted his coincidental acquaintance with the Iranian counterparts at the Singapore WOMAD 2007 on Saturday (Aug 25), performing on the same stage.  Despite coming from rival countries, the sharing of music created an opportunity to meet, to learn and grow but most significantly, becoming friends.  “It goes to show that music could transcend all boundaries and the eternity of the world. And it just feels great being part of it!” Elad said pleasingly.

Speaking of his expectation going to Taiwan after his performance in Bangkok, David said he hoped to thank Master Cheng Yen personally for her blessings.  Without which he could not have overcome the difficult times when he was suffering from a relapse from his ear disease.  The gratitude within shows clearly in his words and manner. 

Soul Stirring, Inspiring Kindness

Among the VIPs were the Israeli Ambassador to Singapore, Mr Ilan Ben-Dov and the Deputy Representative of Taipei Representative Office in Singapore, Mr He Deng Huang, and their wife.  Mr Ilan Ben-Dov had other appointments but managed to surmount all difficulties at the last minute to grace David’s concert with his wife and his deputy.  During David’s engagement with the audience, Mr Ilan also danced and sang along in Hebrew, enjoying the evening filled with music from his native land.     

Mr Xie Tianfa (36-years-old) who almost missed the concert was relieved that he was able to witness such an inspiring concert.  “The performer comes from a country that is under the turmoil of war, and thus he longs for love and peace.  I really liked the part where video introduction of Tzu Chi’s humanity work were shown in between the programme, especially the topic on sandstorm in Master Cheng Yen’s Daily Speech. (The mind can become as obscure as a sandstorm someday, if one does not take good care of it, allowing stress dust to accumulate.)”

He went on, “While performing his best for the concert, David also takes effort in reminding the audience to lend a hand to those in need. He hopes to educate his child and bring love to people when he grows up.  The concert tonight has struck a sympathetic chord and arouses us to help the less fortunate who feel neglected by the world. “

Mr Chi Fang Sheng (68-years-old) always had keen interest in opera and folk music and this is his first time listening to a performance by an Israeli vocalist.  “David’s style of singing as well as the ways he interacts with the audience is truly unique.  It may be because everybody has a kind heart and that brings them together to this concert, despite coming from different places and embracing different religious beliefs. This is truly an evening that is hard to come by.”

Wearing a tudong (Muslim head scarf), 26-year-old Malay lady Ms Suhaily was also at the concert on her superior’s invitation.  She exclaimed, “The concert really opened up my mind! Not all Jewish people are bad, you see. Some of them are good. Some of them are dare to help others regardless of religion. Now there’re so many wars happening in the Middle East, those Christians against Muslims. So I find this is a good way. It’s a stepping stone for them. It would be excellent if there were more organizations like Tzu Chi, holding similar performances in Singapore or abroad.” 

I hear the voices of love

Before the concert’s finale, David led a audience of 1,300 to sing the Tzu Chi’s Prayers, sincerely prayed for people around the world to be able to listen to the voices of love, inspired by love, lend a hand of love, build a path of love, thereby contributing to the goal of purifying minds and bringing peace and harmony to the world.

“I am captivated, it is so touching!  The activities that Tzu Chi organised are always so wonderful, so rejuvenating for the soul. David D’Or’s voice really reaches the heights of angels, bringing out love at the highest level, the deepest love from within our heart, the love for mankind.  He was all praise of the many humanity works that Tzu Chi has been doing, and the prayer he sang was so touching and soul-stirring!”  Mr He Deng Huang (Deputy Representative of Taipei Representative Office in Singapore) gasped in admiration. 

Most of the audience must be feeling the same sentiment and aspiration in that evening.