KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesian pop diva Datuk Seri Rossa marked her grand comeback to the Malaysian stage with a spellbinding, two-hour showcase at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre's Plenary Hall tonight.
The 8pm concert which also featured Rossa's fellow Indonesian singer Judika and Malaysian singer-songwriter Hael Husaini Razmi was titled Rossa 25 Shining Years and marked her 25th anniversary in entertainment.
Organised by Inspire Productions in support of Tabung Pendidikan Anak Bangsa and Tabung Prihatin, non-governmental organisations aimed at empowering low-income youngsters through education, it marked the 43-year-old superstar's return to Malaysia after the Covid-19 pandemic ended.
Rossa got her Malaysian fans singing along to 21 of her evergreen hit songs such as Aku Bukan Untukmu, Tegar, Terlalu Cinta, Terlalu Berharap and As One.
She also sang some Malaysian songs such as Suci Dalam Debu by Iklim, Janji Manismu by Datuk Aishah Ariffin, Bukan Cinta Biasa by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and a medley of Isabella and Fantasia Bulan Madu with Datuk Suhaimi Abdul Rahman or Amy of Search who was in the audience.
She also paid a musical tribute to a "most special friend", Indonesian crooner Glenn Fredly, who died at 44 of meningitis in 2020.
Describing Glenn as the "perfect gentleman" and the "greatest romantic", Rossa said that Glenn's death left a big void in her heart and Indonesia's, and she strongly felt the need to honour him by performing his poignant ballad, Sekali Ini Saja.
"Both of us came up in the music industry around the same time and we were the best of friends, too," said Rossa.
The singer performed two duets each with Judika and Hael, namely Terlanjur Cinta and Akulah Yang Kau Sakiti (with Judika) and Jampi and Kamu Yang Kutunggu (with Hael).
Rossa also sang Kekasih Bayangan with a third guest artiste, Indonesian singer Cakra Khan who was among the 2,000-odd guests in the concert hall.
Rossa's concert had four reputable Indonesian music directors namely Dandy Lasahido, Risyanda, Eka Gustiwana, and Andi Rianto who was accompanied by the Magenta Orchestra.
And true to her glamorous image, Rossa wore three stunning outfits designed by three of Indonesia's top fashion designers Didi Budiarjo, Monica Ivena and A. Yunardi.
Rossa, or Roslaina Sri Handayani, rose to fame in 1996 when she released her debut album Nada-Nada Cinta. This was followed by Tegar in 2000, and in the same year she won an MTV Indonesia Award for Most Favourite Female Artiste.
With 12 studio albums to her credit, Rossa has seen many of her hit songs, most notably Ayat-Ayat Cinta, become movie and drama (sinetron) soundtracks.
Rossa 25 Shining Years is a series of concerts around Indonesia and Malaysia, which began in Istora Senayan, Jakarta on May 27.