“When in the United States, bring a granola bar in your bag.” Passing through Valleyfield for his tour Neo-romance, pianist Alexandra Stréliski spoke about her experiences behind the scenes in performance halls that she visited all over the world. How do they compare to those in Quebec?
“We are well served in Quebec. Our rooms are very, very beautiful. Our teams are big too,” the musician responds straight away.
But this is not the case everywhere. THE Hollywood glam is far from being reflected in the dressing rooms of theaters in the United States, says Alexandra Stréliski.
“In the United States, bring a granola bar in your bag. It’s really more casual.”
For her, the situation is attributable to the few subsidies that American theaters receive and the small size of the teams.
“Sometimes it’s just one guy who takes care of everything. From the technique, to the ticketing, everything from A to Z,” illustrates the artist.
In Europe, the experience is totally different.
“Everyone is fed a buffet. It is the culinary tradition. Here, we’re more in sandwich mode, no crust, and that’s really okay,” she says with a laugh.
Photos Maude Larin-Kieran, QMI Agency
Team traditions
Alexandra Stréliski has developed a ritual with the makeup artist who follows her on tour.
“Every time she brushes my eyebrows, I tell her: ‘Don’t hesitate to brush them upwards.’ It’s nonsense, but I said that once, and since then, I have to say it every time,” explains the 39-year-old woman.
Before going on stage, the team also has its ritual. Both artists and technicians do what they call a “group salute.” Basically, they all stand in a circle to applaud each other and give a rallying cry.
More difficult first shows
At the start of her career, Alexandra Stréliski thought she would be sick before going on stage like Jacques Brel, who “vomited before all his shows”.
“I said to myself: ‘Okay, that’s going to be it’.”
Fortunately for her, the stage fright only lasted “about ten shows, maybe.” Today, it’s more pleasure that fills the minutes before a performance.
Alexandra Stréliski does not consider herself a pianist who prepares a lot before the show.
“I know people in classical music who stretch their fingers before the performance. I’m not going to do that,” she reveals.
However, she prepares what she will say between each composition.
Alexandra Stréliski travels across Quebec for her show Neo-romance until next September. She will also take the stage of the Quebec Summer Festival on July 8 during the carte blanche evening.
