La Vie Parisienne

newLOG’s fourth annual Spring concert in Louth added a distinctly Gallic twist to the group’s repertoire by presenting an evening of French operetta, covering the century from Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, premiered in 1858, to Marguerite Monnot’s Irma la Duce of 1958.

The concert, devised by Chris Cann and Paul Guinery, was entitled La vie Parisienne and traced the development of French operetta and musical comedy in a selection of solos, duets and ensembles embracing everything from brilliant coloratura arias to sultry cabaret numbers and jazzy dances. The musical items were interspersed by witty and informative spoken links from Paul Guinery, who accompanied the singers from the onstage piano.

The company of six singers (Catrine Kirkman, soprano; Kirsti Whitlocke and Kirsty Bennett, mezzos; Philip Hayes, tenor; Chris Cann and Graham Rogers, baritones) sang the generous programme largely off book and with varying degrees of staging and costume. There were many highlights, but amongst the solos, the audience particularly relished Catrine’s coloratura fireworks in the waltz aria from Offenbach’s Robinson Crusoe, Chris’ war-dancing cannibal chef from the same opera, Kirsti’s uproarious ‘Tipsy waltz’ from La Périchole, Graham proving that “There are some things you never forget” (Ta bouche), Kirsty’s sultry “Do I love you?” from Naughty Cinderella and Philip’s elegant ‘Judgement of Paris’ from La Belle Hélène.

The duets and ensembles were similarly well-received, especially Graham and Catrine’s stunning fly duet from Orpheus in the Underworld; Chris and Kirsti’s charming “Dear little donkey” from Véronique and Philip and Kirsty in the extended dream duet from La Belle Hélène. Another winner was the Périchole bolero, complete with obligato castanets from Graham and Chris. 

The characteristically warm Louth audience took the music to their hearts and gave the concert a great reception, clapping along with the encore, the “Galop Infernale” (Can-Can) from Orpheus. Afterwards, the Chairman of Louth Playgoers, John Lill complimented the cast on another great evening and looked forward to the fully staged production of Patience in June.