Singer-actor Charles Davidson, Jesse Corrigan, accordion, and Tom Richards, piano, present their acclaimed tribute to the renowned Parisian singer born Monique Andree Serf, but known to her legions of fans simply as Barbara. Melodies of melancholy and lost love include the famous songs "Ma plus belle histoire d'amour c'est vous", "Gottingen" and "L'aigle noir". First presented at Jewish Music Week Toronto in 2016, it's an intimate cabaret-inspired performance not to be missed!
About Barbara
Monique Andree Serf overcame childhood abuse and the trauma of living in hiding during WWII, developing an innate musical talent and working her way to become a French icon. She took her stage name from her grandmother, Varvara Brodsky, a native of Odessa, Russian Empire. Studying first at the Ecole Supérieure de Musique, then, when money was an issue, dropping out to sing at sing at "La Fontaine des Quatre Saisons," a popular Paris cabaret, Barbara was taken under the wing of Jacques Brel.
Influenced originally by songwriters Mireille and Pierre MacOrlan, she developed her own style and the writing of her own songs transformed her image into that of a unique singer-songwriter. In the 1960s, she wrote her landmark song, "Ma plus belle histoire d'amour c'est vous" ("My Most Beautiful Love Story Is You"), and others for which she remains famous such as "L'aigle noir", "Nantes", "La solitude", "Göttingen" and "Une petite cantate."
Barbara went on to tour the world, appearing regularly on variety shows, and enjoying a small acting career. Barbara was an LGBT ally when it was gravely needed; in the latter part of the 1980s she became active in the fight against AIDS, donating the proceeds of her song 'SID'Amour à mort' to ACT-UP Paris. She gave out condoms at performances, and with the permission of President Mitterand, visited prisons to help give comfort to dying prisoners.
Upon her death in 1997, Jacques Chirac remarked, "She was talent, intensity, stage presence, passion, the passion of her words and rhythms, but also pure passion."
$20 adults/$10 under 18
Performer Bios
Charles Davidson has been hailed for “refined tone, luxurious timbre and superb technique,” (Opera Going Toronto). He trained foremost at the Guildford School of Acting in England. Noted for his versatility, Charles has appeared with leading Canadian choral ensembles as soloist and ensemble member, including the Elmer Iseler Singers, Soundstreams' Choir 21 and Tafelmusik Chamber Choir (two Juno nominations). A member of ACTRA and Canadian Actors' Equity Association, Charles is most proud to have represented and advocated for his peers in the professional choral field. Engagements this season include Mozart Requiem with the Cellar Singers, Messiah with Mississauga Choral Society and the roles of Curly in Oklahoma! and Sky in Mamma Mia! (May 2-18), both for Scarborough Music Theatre. Pride Sunday evening, June 23, you can find him headlining at the Jazz Bistro as part of their Cabaret Series.
Jesse Corrigan is a Toronto based songwriter and musician. A multi-instrumentalist, you're as likely to find him singing lonesome country ballads, as playing French musette accordion, or Beethoven sonatas. You can catch him with numerous musical acts including The Galley Brothers, The Hamstrung Stringband, and with Kristine Schmitt. In the Theatre world he has collaborated with Shadowland Theatre Co., Clay and Paper, as well as Change Up Theatre.
Tom Richards is a musician with a kaleidoscopic range of work. A low-brass specialist, pianist, composer, conductor, and producer, Tom performs in dozens of active projects, including The Heavyweights Brass Band, The Human Rights, Riverrun, and The Woodshed Orchestra. Riverrun has become well known for pushing the boundaries of conventional performance practice through the radical use of technology and the staging of 12-hour marathon performances. Tom has recorded and performed with Roscoe Mitchell, Ron Sexsmith, Gregory Stafford, Ben Caplan, Bruno Capinan, Bros, Nomadica, David Braid, The Wooden Sky, Drumhand, The Hidden Cameras, The Rheostatics, Spoon, Shred Kelly, The Massey Hall Band, The Australian Art Orchestra, Theatre Columbus, Soulpepper Theatre, Ebi, FOG Brass Band, and many others. Tom recorded on trombone for the award-winning Cuphead video game soundtrack, released in 2017. www.insoundmusic.com
