It was a true pleasure to see my friend Genevieve aka VillaVif performing at the Beursschouwburg a few nights ago with her small and vibrant band. Her persona – mystery sexy gogo girl in a golden-laced kimono – fascinated the minute she took stage. A contemporary dancer, Vif masters the stage. With her nasal, broken voice, resembling one of a cabaret singer, she brings us very personal songs, using ambiguous texts. Balancing between subtle moods and deep emotions, I sense some Patti Smith, Marianne Faitfull, and even Marlene Dietrich, while always carry on her own self. Ending in sublime beauty with a tender song about her son …”I get love because love makes me strong” … truth revealing… Fabulous VillaVif!
A total different genre of music I experienced on Friday night at the Flagey where I attended “Une Romance Francaise” (a French Romance), a program of French “romantic” inspired classical music by the Brussels Philharmonic. Under the frivolous direction of Herve Niquet, the orchestra played excerpts of Bizet’s Carmen, the Symhonie romantique in e mineur by the kinda rebellious composer Victorin Joncieres. After the break, the “Vlaams Radio Orchestra” were accompanied by three strong vocalists to perform Gustave Charpentier’s Didon. I must admit, it’s been years since I’ve been to a classical concert but I did enjoy and went joyously with the differential musical flows.
