Karaoke Time

[franceslievens]

It was the actual pretext for the visit: I'd check out the musical café in Paris and frenchani would check out with her friend if I could sing something some time. Then we noticed on Thursday there would be a free stage for amateur singers. "Can't possibly sing," I tell her, "Haven't got a pianist that's willing to jump into my bag on such short notice." The only pianists I actualy know are the ones from the music academy. I don't even know if they'd be willing to go to Paris for a simple sing-a-long with a mere amateur. But still I packed my sheet music. Just for rehearsal in the dead moments, and to chase away the Mexican vampires that live upstairs in Chani's building. That's what I say, but I'm kidding myself. I want to sing, but I'm too bloody scared to admit it.

Chani admits it, when we go to a recital in the café on Wednesday. "My friend here is from Brussels, and she sings, and can she possibly sing tomorrow? She didn't bring a pianist."
"Oh, yes she can," the lady answers, "There's a pianist right there. She'll be happy to accompany you." The pianist nods and laughs. When I tell her what I want to sing (Oscar from Un Ballo in Maschera, because I know it very well, and it's fun) she simply answers she practicaly knows it by heart. It's what happens when you've been leader of the singers in a big opera house.
"But, don't they need to rehearse?" someone asks.
"Why should they? It's like karaoke night tomorrow!"

Karaoke it is! I mull over what I got into all through the next day. Even though the day is too packed with things to do and see in order to be scared of the evening. I know the aria and it isn't the first time I'm singing it with an unprepared pianist. I just have to have fun.
It's my mantra going in: have fun on stage, you're good at what you do. So I sing. And they like me, without the rehearsal, without the time to warm up my voice, without even having met the pianist until the previous evening. I suck up the compliments I recieve, both of professional musicians and professional music lovers. When I go and thank the pianist for accompanying me on such short notice, she says she liked it a lot, I should continue singing, and maybe we'd see each other again. It's the best one of all.

Comments

[lijability.livejournal.com]

Bravo! Bravisimo!!

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Thanks hon.

There ain't visual proof, though, because Chani forgot her camera...

[comava.livejournal.com]

It's interesting to hear this story from your POV and Chani's! Sounds like a memorable holiday. :-)

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

It's interesting to read up on what Chani had to say about. It sounded so different, even though we were together the whole time! Memorable it was, yes. And tiring as well.