11 SEPTEMBER 2002
Spanish star Antonio Banderas and wife Melanie Griffith were in Madrid on Tuesday to lend their voices – literally - in support of the Sabera Foundation, an organisation dedicated to aiding homeless girls in India.

The celebrity couple took time out from acting duties for the launch party of the charity album they have recorded with a host of stars from the music and film world – including Penelope Cruz, Cher, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Alanis Morrisette, Placido Domingo and Sting. All proceeds will go to the Sabera organisation for causes on the sub-continent, and in particular to construct a hospital and a refuge.

Antonio and Melanie first got involved with the project after seeing a documentary Penelope Cruz made for Sabera revealing the hardships of homeless girls in Calcutta. The Vanilla Sky actress, who is the foundation’s president in the US, was unable to attend as she was filming but she sent along the video of her song Penelope to be premiered at the party.

Antonio has sung two of the 14 tracks on the disc, La Aurora De Nueva York and the John Lennon classic Imagine. The Desperado star said it was a great responsibility to sing the ex-Beatle’s most famous song. He also revealed how amazed he was that John’s widow, Yoko Ono, called him from New York. “She told me she would only cede the rights to the song if I sang it, which was a great challenge,” he said. “I don’t even know her.”

Melanie also announced that she and Antonio would be holding a charity dinner for the foundation in their LA home on October 11, four days before the disc goes on sale worldwide. “During the evening we’ll sing some of the songs from the album. There’ll also be a small auction and a fashion show of the clothes Spanish designer Esther Cañadas has put together with some of the Indian girls.

“For anyone who wants to take part,” the actress added, “it’s only 6,000 euros per person. I only hope they don’t destroy my house.”