Ofra Haza was an Israeli singer, songwriter, and actress, often referred to as "the Madonna of the East."
Her voice has been described as a "tender" mezzo-soprano, showcasing her remarkable vocal talent.
Haza received the prestigious Kinor David award during her illustrious career.
Biography
Early Life
Bat-Sheva Ofra Haza was born on November 19, 1957, in Tel Aviv, Israel, to Mizrahi Jewish parents from Yemen. She was the youngest of nine children in a Masorti household in the Hatikva Quarter, an area known for its working-class roots. Her mother, Shoshana, a professional singer in Yemen, significantly influenced Ofra's musical journey, teaching her traditional Yemenite songs. From a young age, Ofra showcased her musical talent, performing at local weddings and participating in her school choir. At just 12 years old, she joined a local protest theatre troupe called “Hatikva,” where her singing abilities quickly gained recognition.
Career
Ofra Haza's career spanned several decades, during which she became a prominent figure in the Israeli music scene. Known for her unique blend of world music, folk-pop, and Mizrahi music, she released numerous albums, including "Shaday," "Desert Wind," and "Yemenite Love." Her powerful mezzo-soprano voice earned her accolades, including the Kinor David award and recognition as Female Singer of the Year. Haza's music often bridged cultural divides, earning her the nickname "the Madonna of the East" in the Western world. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her as one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Legacy
Ofra Haza's impact on music and culture continues to resonate. Following her passing on February 23, 2000, her legacy was honored with the renaming of a public park in her childhood neighborhood to Gan Ofra. Additionally, a postal stamp was issued in her memory, featuring a line from her hit song "Tfila". Her contributions to music and her efforts to foster understanding between cultures have left an indelible mark on Israeli society and beyond.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Hit Collection2000
- 1.Im Nin' Alu3:27
- 2.Give Me a Sign4:15
- 3.I Want to Fly4:21
- 4.Trains of No Return4:05
- 5.Sixth Sense4:07
- 6.Galbi3:09
- 7.No Time to Hate4:16
- 8.You've Got a Friend5:11
- 9.Amore4:18
- 10.One Day4:14
- 11.Innocent - Requiem for Refugees4:40
- 12.Elo Hi4:08
- 13.My Ethiopean Boy4:32
- 14.Show Me4:11
- 15.Kaddish4:31
- 16.You5:02
- 17.Mystery, Fate and Love5:16
שירי מולדת ג'1998
- 1.יום הכרזת המדינה0:56
- 2.לילה בכנען4:13
- 3.ריח תפוח אודם שני2:31
- 4.איילת אהבים3:31
- 5.בין נהר פרת ונהר חידקל3:02
- 6.בלילה3:14
- 7.החליל3:52
- 8.היה הוא אפור3:31
- 9.אבל מחר אחזור2:55
- 10.דבקה עבאייה2:52
- 11.מחרוזת: הנוקדים / מה יפים הלילות3:05
- 12.בגליל / בתל-חי2:57
- 13.הכותל4:22
Ofra Haza1997
- 1.Show Me4:14
- 2.Amore4:31
- 3.Im Nin Alu-20003:38
- 4.Sixth Sense4:12
- 5.My Ethiopian Boy4:38
- 6.Ahava6:57
- 7.No Time to Hate4:24
- 8.You’ve Got a Friend5:17
- 9.You5:06
- 10.Give Me a Sign4:20
- 11.One Day4:18
כל הנשמה1994
- 1.לאורך הים4:19
- 2.רוח האדם4:28
- 3.זה יבוא פתאום3:50
- 4.כל הנשמה5:08
- 5.ילד אחד3:42
- 6.מיליון3:55
- 7.ליד באר מולדתי3:56
- 8.שהייתי שלך4:18
- 9.כשתבוא3:42
- 10.כל יום והכאב שלו3:31
- 11.בן אדם בעולם3:53
- 12.גופך רוקד בחלומי5:25
Oriental Nights1993
- 1.Wish Me Luck4:10
- 2.Da'Ale Da'Ale3:27
- 3.Galbi3:16
- 4.Face to Face4:53
- 5.Kaddish4:32
- 6.Shaday5:40
- 7.Im Nin'Alu3:31
- 8.Ya Ba Ye5:07
- 9.My Aching Heart5:44
- 10.Fatamorgana5:00
- 11.Taw Shi3:27
- 12.Mm'Mma4:26
Kirya1992
- 1.Kirya6:12
- 2.Horashoot: The Bridge3:49
- 3.Innocent: A Requiem for Refugees4:44
- 4.Trains of No Return4:15
- 5.Mystery Faith and Love5:23
- 6.Daw Da Hiya4:56
- 7.Don't Forsake Me4:37
- 8.Barefoot5:16
- 9.Take 7/84:30
שירי מולדת א'■ב'1989
- 1.זמר נוגה3:25
- 2.יש לי גן2:20
- 3.נערה ושמה כנרת3:40
- 4.בהר הגלבוע2:55
- 5.מה אומרות עיניך3:48
- 6.נעמה2:39
- 7.עץ הרימון2:47
- 8.הצריף הקטן3:00
- 9.מחרוזת שירי רועים ואוהבים: שירי השומר (מעל המגדל) / ערב שח / רועה ורועה / שיר הכד / דבקה רפיח (לי יומי ולי לילי)4:50
- 10.אל נא תאמר לי שלום3:37
- 11.הן אפשר3:06
- 12.שני שושנים3:59
- 13.בכרם תימן (אל תפחדי תמר)3:20
- 14.שדמתי3:53
- 15.שבעת המינים3:44
- 16.הנערים הספנים4:06
- 17.אשכולית3:11
- 18.איריסים3:08
- 19.דבר אלי בפרחים4:04
- 20.מחרוזת שירי כפר: שם שועלים יש / בפאת הכפר / דבקה החמור / על גבעות שיך אבריק / באר בשדה5:21
- 21.יד ענוגה5:24
Desert Wind1989
- 1.Wish Me Luck4:10
- 2.Ya Ba Ye5:07
- 3.Middle East4:40
- 4.I Want to Fly4:27
- 5.Slave Dream4:48
- 6.Taw Shi3:28
- 7.Mm'mma (My Brothers Are There)4:26
- 8.In Ta5:54
- 9.Fatamorgana (Mirage)5:00
- 10.Da'asa2:42
- 11.Kaddish4:34
Shaday1988
Tracklist not collected yet.
Yemenite Love1988
Tracklist not collected yet.
Shaday1988
- 1.Im Nin'alu3:32
- 2.Eshal3:58
- 3.Da'ale Da'ale3:28
- 4.My Aching Heart5:51
- 5.Love Song2:29
- 6.Galbi3:17
- 7.Face to Face4:54
- 8.Take Me to Paradise4:52
- 9.Shaday5:41
- 10.Galbi (The Sehoog mix)5:06
Im Nin Alu1988
- 1.Im Nin'Alu (Yemenite Folk Song)3:32
- 2.Galbi3:16
- 3.Mystery, Fate and Love5:27
- 4.Trains of No Return4:16
- 5.Take Me to Paradise4:52
- 6.Kirya6:13
- 7.I want to Fly4:29
- 8.Innocent - Requiem for Refugees4:48
- 9.Wish Me Luck4:11
- 10.Face to Face4:54
- 11.Don't Forsake Me4:38
- 12.Kaddish4:35
The Golden Album1987
Tracklist not collected yet.
ימים נשברים1986
Tracklist not collected yet.
שירי מולדת ב׳1985
Tracklist not collected yet.
אדמה1985
Tracklist not collected yet.
Yemenite Songs1984
Tracklist not collected yet.
בית חם1984
Tracklist not collected yet.
שירי מולדת1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
חי1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
לילדים1982
Tracklist not collected yet.
פּיתויים1982
Tracklist not collected yet.
בוא נדבר1981
Tracklist not collected yet.
Our Love / על אהבות שלנו1980
Tracklist not collected yet.
בשיר השירים בשעשועים1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- NMC
- Record label
- Hed Arzi Music
- Record label
- CBS
Achievements
- Award
- Kinor David
- Award
- Singer, Female Singer and Band of the Year
Groups
- Sadnot Teatron Shechunat Hatikvahoriginal · 1974–1979
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Bat-Sheva Ofra Haza-Ashkenazi, Ofra Chaza, Ofra Haza, Ofra Hazaעפרה חזה, Ofra Hazza, Ofra Jaza
Ofra Haza was an Israeli singer, songwriter, and actress, commonly known in the Western world as "the Madonna of the East", or "the Israeli Madonna". Her voice has been described as a "tender" mezzo-soprano. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her at number 186 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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