On the occasion of International Women’s Rights Day, the collective Les voix de Diane presented the premiere of the show “Women, the Time of a Song” at the National Theatre of Nice.
What better way to honor women than a woman embodying the greatest voices of those who have marked us over the decades? Soprano Diane Frรฉmaux perfectly performed the role of a chameleon. Transitioning, on opera tunes, from Maria Callas to Carmen in a snap of a voice. Before returning to the stage in a white dress worthy of Judy Garland to begin “The Man That Got Away”. The singer with 10 characters sublimely borrowed the powerful voices of these icons to make them resonate on the walls of the Michel Simon hall, accompanied by Stรฉphane Eliot’s symphonic organ and Serge Gallice on electric guitar. A small revolution in opera, which makes its impact.
A Journey Back in Time with Opera and Operetta Tunes
At times Marlรจne Dietrich, at others Liza Minelli, the soprano made a convincingly nostalgic invitation to travel back in time despite some quickly forgotten acoustic issues. When Barbra Streisand sings “Papa Can You Hear Me” by the light of a single candle, a few shivers run through the audience. Then cabaret makes its entrance in the amphitheater in the guise of Josรฉphine Baker to sing her love for Paris. The most famous Parisian could obviously not miss such a show: Edith Piaf was present with “La Vie en Rose”, a duet shared with the ravishing Grace Jones. Finally, the tireless Diane Frรฉmaux donned her lioness costume to perform a fiery Tina Turner, reminding all women that they are “Simply the Best”! During this final show, the artist behind the show’s visuals, Audrey Bollaro, created a portrait of Tina Turner live on stage, in the span of a song.
We didn’t know it was possible to bring together these 10 exceptional women in a Nice theater in 2020, but Diane Frรฉmaux and her entire team did it, and did it well.
