In Amiens, amateur singers from Picardy will soon be on the Zénith stage for a tribute to Queen

The show “500 voices for Queen” has just started its tour with, for each stopover city, the participation of choirs from the region. This concert will be at the Zénith in Amiens on January 27.

Thirty-two years after the untimely death of Freddie Mercury, “The Show must go on”. Since January 12, the launch date of the tour in Nancy, 500 local singers have accompanied the professional singers and musicians of this production at each concert. Two weeks before the big day at the Zénith in Amiens, we attended the last rehearsals of the Picardy choristers, in Salouël, in the Somme.

Months of work

They have been training for months to sing the hits of the legendary British group. “It’s starting to feel good. We’ll be ready for the 27th.” rejoices a chorister. And yet, this is only the fourth time that they have all been together. “In general, we rehearse with our MP3s. Being all together, we feel carried away”, adds another participant.

Some have never sung in a choir, others don’t speak English. Difficulties quickly overcome thanks to the motivation of these Queen fans. “We felt a start in a few weeks, a real adaptation to the songs and the scores”, recognizes Xavier Bourguignon, choir director.

A rehearsal in front of a captivated audience

In order to also work on its ease in front of the public, the choir performed in the shopping arcade of a shopping center in front of customers who were sometimes a little surprised. “It’s gut-wrenching, as they say, because it’s beautiful to see 500 voices singing together, especially on Queen”, enthuses a passerby. For others in the audience, it’s a preview of the show at the Zénith in Amiens. “This gives me a rehearsal for the concert on January 27 since I took my place,” indicates a young woman. Widely applauded, the choir discovered, on this occasion, the first pleasures of the stage.

“It’s a super intense and impressive moment, we know why we worked for months,” explains one of the singers. On stage for two hours, they will perform 19 Queen titles. A performance alongside, among others, Aurélien Vivos, winner of The Voice 2023 and headliner of the show.

500 voices concert for Queenon tour throughout France, find the dates here