Symphonic pop concerts: “It’s a trip of a lifetime” – Lisa LeBlanc

“There is still a kind of prestige no worse that comes when you receive an offer from, say, the OSQ or the OSM. It’s a trip of a lifetime.”

• Also read: Symphonic pop concerts: from Céline to Metallica, a popularity that does not weaken

• Also read: Symphonic pop concerts: no limits for classical musicians

To say that Lisa LeBlanc enjoyed her experience with the Orchester symphonique de Québec, earlier in 2024, represents the best definition of the word “euphemism”.

“For her, it was like an apotheosis, the accomplishment of something. So much so that after the rehearsal, they decided to record the concert to release an album [paru le 18 octobre dernier]. This was not planned,” relates the OSQ’s director of communications and marketing, Carl Langelier.

The singer ofToday, my life is shit is in total admiration of classical musicians.

“It really is another world,” she said. They practice eight hours a day for years. It’s like the Olympics, I see them as athletes, whereas us ordinary musicians can strum a guitar and do miracles with three chords. It’s really interesting when the two meet. I love this type of contrast.”

“Enveloping”

Klô Pelgag has played several times with symphony orchestras. In his case, unlike other pop artists, the association with classical musicians was natural.

“My second album was very orchestral,” she recalls, speaking of The chest stara 2016 release.

“I had played a lot with string orchestras when I started, but in concert like this, there is something very enveloping. It also comes with great decorum.”

“Eyes full of water”

Singer of AnesthesiA, François Laverdière “caught two minutes” when he sang Metallica classics supported by around fifty musicians from the Quebec Symphony Orchestra.

“I was like in a big musical ball, the hair stood up on my arms and, I won’t hide it from you, my eyes were full of water.”

Like Lisa LeBlanc, he was able to see the difference between the craft of the members of his group and the virtuosity of classical musicians.

“We have been playing in bars for 30 years. We don’t follow scores. We always played by ear. They are another world. They all have studies. It’s intimidating, but they are very sweet. They were aware that we were not at the same level and it didn’t show, but you shouldn’t be mistaken because they don’t stop,” laughs Mr. Laverdière.