Repetitive, Christmas shows? Rather, everyone has their own particularity. In Parapapaminstalled at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier this weekend, the great voices of Patrick Bruel, Mario Pelchat, Vladimir Kornéev and the singer Marie-Josée Lord combine with around sixty choristers and around forty musicians from the Filmharmonique Orchestra from Montreal, directed by Francis Choinière, to reinvent the traditional tunes of this time of year.
Proud of the nearly 9,000 tickets sold during the first edition of Parapapam last year, director Guy Lévesque evoked the symphonic character of the production to explain its splendor and singularity.
“I find that the term “majestic” really fits the show well,” explains Guy Lévesque between two rehearsals. It’s an opportunity to hear Christmas songs interpreted differently, with a real symphony orchestra and international stars. »
We have a beautiful decor, great lighting, we put all the effort into the look. We revisit and rearrange things. It’s a show which is really expensive. We don’t see that often!
Guy Lévesque
Parapapam also relies on the personal preferences of its headliners to go off the beaten track, by offering solos and creative encounters, in French and English. “Approximately 75% of the material is in French,” explains Guy Lévesque.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Parapapam can count on an impressive cast: Francis Choinière (conductor), Mario Pelchat, Marie-Josée Lord, Patrick Bruel and Vladimir Kornéev.
While Patrick Bruel himself asked to appropriate Mariah Carey’s popular refrain, All I Want for Christmas Is You, Mario Pelchat wants to reserve the precious Midnight, Christians. Marie-Josée Lord shares with Patrick Bruel the verses of The Prayerpopularized by Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli, and with Vladimir Kornéev, those of Holy Night. The celebration must end on a note of hope with the anthem Everything will changeby Michel Fugain, and a cheerful December 23 sung in unison by the entire troupe.
An obvious complicity
Mario Pelchat is never difficult to convince when he is asked to sing during the holidays, still haunted, at almost 60 years old, by memories of the choir of his childhood church in Dolbeau-Mistassini, where he was serving as mass. Nostalgia, he says, continues to grow as his loved ones leave our world.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Vladimir Korneev
“It was like a family, strong bonds were forged. We started rehearsing Christmas carols from September. From year to year, this celebration reconnects me to these memories. At our house, my mother made the tree on the 1ster December and undid it on my birthday, the 1ster FEBRUARY. »
For the old hand that is Patrick Bruel, the exercise of a Christmas collective is not at all conventional: surprisingly, the French legend had never done a show of the kind before hearing about Parapapam.
“Never done it, never seen it, never heard it.” I didn’t know the concept! », argues the man who had never worked with Mario Pelchat either. Both wine producers, the new friends promise to toast each other with a tasting of juice from their respective vineyards between two performances.
It’s for meetings, strong moments like these that we do this job. We had some incredible moments in rehearsal. Marie-Josée [Lord] is an extraordinary person. When we find ourselves near the piano, I have the impression of being in front of someone and seeing their soul.
Patrick Bruel
Only participating artist of the Parapapam from last year, Vladimir Kornéev is also moved by the talent of his comrades, honored to walk the stage alongside them.
“It’s like a dream come true to work with them, and with Marie-Josée Lord, who has such a wonderful voice,” enthuses the Georgian baritone singer and actor.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Mario Pelchat and Patrick Bruel
Described as an “angel” by Mario Pelchat, pampered by his three male companions, Marie-Josée Lord also salutes the complicity that has developed within the group.
“There are lots of laughs! », slips the respected soprano, a fan of the “festive” aspect of such events.
The show Parapapam is presented at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts until Sunday, December 10.