Artists praise Helgi Sallo’s emotional singing ahead of 85th birthday

Performers reflecting on Helgi Sallo’s career at a rehearsal for her 85th birthday concert praised the emotion in her singing and her influence on stage. The interviews were reported by ERR’s programme Ringvaade.

Singer Nele-Liis Vaiksoo said Sallo’s song “Olematu laul” (“The Nonexistent Song”) had accompanied her through several decades. Its lyrics by Leelo Tungal spoke to her as a 10-year-old and still resonated with her now, Vaiksoo said. Singing it herself on a large stage with an orchestra would be a dream come true.

Vaiksoo also recalled seeing Sallo play the matchmaker in “Fiddler on the Roof” at Estonia Theatre about 10 years ago. The audience applauded when Sallo walked on stage, bringing the performance to a halt, she said.

Actress Hele Kõrve said Sallo’s voice stood out for the feeling she put into every song. Sallo sang the meaning of the words, rather than treating them as “just words”, Kõrve said, adding that Sallo’s acting and singing were inseparable. She recalled Sallo singing at her 80th birthday celebration in Tartu, saying her voice was still bright and beautiful. Kõrve said she wished Sallo would sing again.

Hanna-Liina Võsa remembered Sallo as a constant presence at rehearsals at Estonia Theatre, where she offered advice on roles, relationships and how to bring more nuance to a performance. Actor Andres Dvinjaninov said Sallo’s name was tied to youth for his generation. He singled out her role as Pippi Longstocking and said the television series “Õnne 13” would not exist without her character Alma. He added that he knew a 50-year-old man who watched every repeat of the series as a treat.