Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As global ambassadors of new age, electronic, ambient and worldbeat music for nearly 30 years, Enigma has thus far sold over 70 million records and racked up a trio of Grammy nominations. But up until now, the studio creation of German producer Michael Cretu never came to Chicago (let alone anywhere in America) or even performed live anywhere in the world.

Angel X took the lead for the chant-centric “Return To Innocence,” which sparked a stream of fans rushing to the front with an entire generation’s worth of bottled up enthusiasm waiting to see Original Enigma Voices.

After relentless requests, listeners’ fantasies finally came to fruition thanks to an inaugural tour by Original Enigma Voices (Andru Donalds, Angel X and Fox Lima) through the beautifully restored and revitalized Copernicus Center right here in the Windy City. As the title of the group’s tweaked moniker suggests, these are indeed the singers heard throughout landmarks like “The Cross Of Changes” through post-millennium projects such as “Seven Lives Many Faces” and several others along the way.

Along with a four-piece band, a classical orchestra comprised of ten local musicians and mood-matching screens, Original Enigma Voices spent two hours making up for an immense amount of lost time. And though they seemed to still be working out a few transitional kinks, there was no denying these always eclectic and occasionally eccentric tunes were destined for the stage.

Whether singing solo or in collaborative combinations, Original Enigma Voices uncovered selections including “The Rivers Of Belief,” “Following The Sun,” “Out From The Deep” and “Almost Full Moon” with vocal sophistication, and in the case of the dance-centered “Sadeness,” an especially striking visual interpretation. Following an intermission, the two-hour set found everyone addressing “The Same Parents,” the fellas digging into “Amen,” Lima serenading with “MMX (The Social Song)” and Donalds tapping into Enigma’s crazier side during “Modern Crusaders.”

Angel X took the lead for the chant-centric “Return To Innocence,” which sparked a stream of fans rushing to the front with an entire generation’s worth of bottled up enthusiasm. The moment proved so passionate that it sparked an acoustic reprise of that very smash and helped untangle Engima’s rare ability to transcend languages, cultures and genres all rolled into one absorbing rhythmic force.

Click here for more photos of Original Enigma Voices at the Copernicus Center.

For additional information on Original Enigma Voices visit OriginalEnigmaVoices.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Copernicus Center include Kip Moore (Mar. 7); Lea Salonga (May 10); Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited (Oct. 5) and World Of Dance (Nov. 3). For additional details, visit CopernicusCenter.org.

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