RIGA - After Goran Bregovic's recent Baltic concerts, here is a chance to see some truly authentic Balkan Gypsy music. Esma Redzepova, the self-proclaimed "Queen of the Gypsies," is one of the most internationally renowned Gypsy musicians around and is every bit as exuberant off the stage as she is on it. She can also take a lot of credit for having done more to popularize Gypsy music than almost anyone else.
Born in Suto Orizari, a poor region close to the Macedonian capital of Skopje (where Emir Kusturica shot "The Time of the Gypsies"), Redzepova has been performing since the age of 12.
She was discovered by the renowned musician, composer and bandleader Stevo Teodosievski, who became her mentor, musical partner and later her husband. Their ensemble became one of the most popular groups in the Balkan region and over the years they made literally hundreds of recordings together. They also toured extensively, filling concert halls and stadiums in Europe, Australia, China, Pakistan, Africa and the Middle East.
Redzepova is also well-known in her native-Macedonia for her charity work. She and her late husband adopted 47 orphans and street children into their home, which evolved into a school of folk music. She has twice been nominated for the Nobel Prize for her charity work and many Macedonians are quick to claim her as their "second Mother Teresa."
Redzepova continued her career after Stevo's death in 1997 with the Ensemble Teodosievski. Her music is essentially Gyspy music, although in the uniquely Balkanized style. Upbeat, vibrant and gritty, it makes use of the violin, clarinet, accordion, but is mostly distinguished by Redzepova's larger-than-life voice.
Redzepova has been making music for more than 25 years and is a household name in the Balkans. She has acted in several movies and is without doubt the most prominent ambassador of Macedonian Gypsy culture in the world.
So for a rare chance to hear some authentic Gypsy music that's a little different from Bregovic's polished Balkan brass band, her concert is definitely worth seeing. And it's not every day in Europe that a Gypsy gets to be queen of the stage.
