Micheline Sings Brel
Glenroy Auditorium
Monday, October 13
This singer creates total rapport with her audience, through constant and unrelenting engagement with text and style, tailoring exquisite individuality of mood to the differing needs of every song.
Charmingly sexy in a flowing deep red gown, with body and arms gently shaping every phrase, she totally immersed herself in the passion of vocal delivery, never holding back on emotion, and Hauptman, a true and talented accompanist, matched her every nuance.
Micheline introduced each song with animated and endearing explanations, veneered with charming accent, to hold her audience transfixed throughout. She switched seamlessly with clarity of diction between French, Flemish, Dutch and English, and even when you did not know the songs, she had the knack of making you feel you did, occasionally insisting the audience sing along in choruses - in French of course!
Added individuality came with flute interludes, virtuosic whistling and a range of vocal ''expression marks'', often jaunty and coquettish.
Some highlights in the bounty of French passion from this Belgium chanteuse were a fiery Le Diable, intensely powerful Amsterdam, a beseeching Ne Me Quitte Pas and her final absolutely exquisite Edith Piaf number, Hymne a L'amour.
Such a unique and delightful treat in the festival line-up.
- Reviewed by Elizabeth Bouman
