November 2000 - Nr. 11
Mark DuBois Concert
a smash Hit!
"This
was the best ever!" That was the tenor after a long and satisfying
evening with a very full house at the Hansa Club, where music lovers turned
up for an encore performance of "Mark DuBois and Friends". Whoever
did not go to the annual German Canadian gala ball turned up here, including
the Mayor of Brampton.
The
hall was filled with animated guests, sitting at beautifully set tables,
enjoying a very fine dinner with the delectable wines from Reif Winery to
chose from, and afterwards listening to wonderful musical performances by
Mark DuBois, tenor, Giséle Fredette, mezzo-soprano, Susanne Kompass,
soprano, Bruce Kelly, baritone, accompanied by the incomparable Brahm
Goldhammer on the piano. The program, which started immediately after the
delicious dinner, offered something for everyone. Opera aficionados were as
pleased as the musical and operetta buffs or the fans of contemporary songs
and ballads. Within in the 30 songs sung that night only five were performed
in German, among them "Gern hab ich die Frau’n gekuesst", by
Mark DuBois, and from Wagner’s Tannhaeuser "O du mein holder
Abendstern" by Bruce Kelly. Both pieces showed the abundant talent and
exquisite qualities of the singer’s voices.
Suzann
Kompass, with her pretty porcelain doll good looks, sang a few demanding
solos, demonstrating an ever growing confidence and, if that is even
possible, a stronger voice with more clarity and subtle shadings than ever
before. In her duets with Mark DuBois she shone in an early requiem by
Andrew Lloyd Webber, and a in a scene from La Traviata.
But
there were other duet combinations, just as effective, and one very funny
routine from Gilbert & Sullivan called "Three little maids"
from the Mikado, which caused hilarious laughter in the audience.
Gisélle
Fredette is famous for her versatility, and that night she did not hold
back. She sang classical selections and various pieces from musicals and
singularly beautiful ballads like La Vie en Rose. When she was looking for
"Her Bill" in the audience she enchanted the gentleman with her
personable and skillfully flirtatious style. Her range takes her easily to
soprano heights with power and clarity, while in her depth she purrs like an
alto. Not only in her duet with Mark DuBois "I remember it well",
did she display an unusually strong gift for acting, which contributes so
much to her always very lively performances.
That
all performers are friends indeed becomes abundantly clear, when Mark
introduces his colleges. He never misses an opportunity to rib Bruce Kelly
for being a baritone; we are not to forget, that there is a war going on
between those two voice factions. But with these jests also come the notes
of enduring friendship and mutual respect and admiration. We learn that is
was "The Pearl Fishers" with which Bruce managed to instill a love
of opera in Mark as a very young singer of the concert stage; and when they
sang the famed duet it became clear why. Bruce has a unique voice,
recognizable anywhere. The rich timbre, especially in the lower registers,
is complimented by his incredible ability to communicate the emotional tone
of the piece without gimmicks.
These
fine performers have endured the ups and downs of our Canadian art scene,
scenes in which there are no guarantees, no regular paychecks, no assurances
of permanency, but instead only uncertainties, which have to be overcome
every day, every week, every month. And still these artists are the most
generous of people. Knowing the limited market they do not deny anyone their
right to exercise their talent. They share freely the opportunities
available with other talent. Thus Mark introduced a young singer to the
audience who he had met a few years ago as an insurance expert. Singing
lessons ensued and now Brian Roman is a popular singer in the private market
of weddings and other functions. Brian’s full-bodied voice, his good looks
and effervescent temperament will help him to make it anywhere, as the song
he sang about New York pointed out.
This
successful evening was arranged and organized, as before, by the resourceful
and enthusiastic Lou Wegner. Thank you, Lou.
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comment to: sfr@echoworld.com
