There is something magical that happens every time Passe-Montagne, Passe-Carreau and Passe-Partout take the stage. We witnessed this last year during the Coucou Passe-Partout tour. The same power was manifested Thursday at the Maison symphonique.
As soon as the three friends appear at the front, the children’s eyes light up and smiles appear on their faces. It’s instant! If you attend one of the Passe-Partout symphonique performances this weekend, observe the crowd at that precise moment. This is where one of the most touching scenes of the show takes place.
This time, actors Élodie Grenier (Passe-Partout), Gabrielle Fontaine (Passe-Carreau) and Jean-François Pronovost (Passe-Montagne) are not alone. Led by guest conductor Mélanie Léonard, the Orchester Métropolitain accompanies them by playing the famous Passe-Partout tunes in symphonic version. The Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal also add their voices to the concert.
Just like in the show Coucou Passe-Partout, it is the original nursery rhymes, those created during the first version of the show in the 1970s and 1980s, which are highlighted. Something to please all chicks and chicks, regardless of their generation.
The beautiful vegetables, In the henhouse, The fish and The frogs follow one another while Passe-Montagne, Passe-Carreau and Passe-Partout sing while waiting for Grandmother to arrive at her birthday picnic.
As the guest lets herself be desired for a very long time – we understand why a little later – the friends take the opportunity to play some games inspired by the show with the audience. This is welcome, since we felt that the little spectators needed to release a little energy. They are happy to help Passe-Partout and Passe-Montagne find what Passe-Carreau is hiding in the guessing box. The end of the logic tile game leads to one of the funniest moments of the show: all the musicians stand up and sway their hips to prove that yes, they can dance.
A few more recent pieces also sneak into the show, including the enveloping A Treasure in the Eyes and the energetic Playing Outside.
While the Coucou Passe-Partout show was very rhythmic, a great softness envelopes different moments of the concert, the artistic direction of which is signed by Simon Boulerice and the musical direction by Andrew Gray. We particularly feel it during the few pieces sung only by the choir of young boys, aged 9 to 17. Under blue lighting, we let ourselves be carried away by The White Phantom and Sometimes I’m Afraid.
Another sweet moment of the show: the interpretation of Bon dodo, mon ami by Passe-Partout, then taken up by the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal. Like the three accomplices sitting on a bench on the stage, we then want to lean against those we love.
“Singing everyone together gives you chills,” says Passe-Partout, aptly, at one point in the show.
But beyond the singing, it is the interpretation of the musicians which conveys a host of emotions.
“Music takes on meaning when you can share it,” underlines conductor Mélanie Léonard, to whom we spoke a few hours after the performance. She finds it particularly touching to be able to experience this exchange with children and thus contribute to their musical awakening.
Especially since many musicians carry Passe-Partout in their hearts. “There are a lot of us on stage who grew up with Passe-Partout. […] Nursery rhymes, we know them. We have fun playing them in a symphonic version. »
Versions whose arrangements were signed by François Vallières, would like to mention the conductor. ” They are magnificent. […] It really highlights the original nursery rhymes, but it also highlights the whole orchestra. »
Moreover, to the former chicks and chicks who have grown up, Mélanie Léonard launches this invitation: “It’s a concert that is aimed at everyone. […] I think there are many people who grew up with these nursery rhymes, who don’t have children today, who would enjoy hearing them again. »