Fans of classic and more popular styles were invited to two performances offered this weekend by the local group. The last meeting in this series entitled Chorus shots sold out on Sunday.
President of the Friendship Choir, Nicole Mercier has promised a sonic, diverse and multilingual journey. Expectations were met. The troupe led by the energetic Jean Wiedrick opened the ball with emotion by covering Cowboys Fringants and the poetry of its late singer Karl Tremblay. They sang Autumn song, On my shoulder And Down here.
Vocal versatility was on display. From Marc Dupré to Luc De Larochellière, including Coldplay, Michael Bublé and even Lady Gaga. The spectators definitely got their money’s worth. The choir even performed the great classic O sole mio by going through French, English and Italian.
“Now is the time to welcome our centenary!”
— Jean Wiedrick, musical director of the Granby Friendship Choir
The centenarian in question is Marcel St-Martin, one of the founding members of the Choir of Friendship, a company created nearly 55 years ago. The artist stood up and presented himself at the foot of the stage to loud applause. The audience, musicians and choir members were all excited to hear his voice.
The choir wowed. (Nicolas T. Parent/La Voix de l’Est)
In front of his microphone, with his feet firmly planted and his eyes sparkling, he performed The Hymn to Spring by the legendary Félix Leclerc: the song of an immortal of Quebec music hummed by a century of life. We admit it: the performance brought a few tears. Then the crowd rose to its feet for a well-deserved ovation.
As a tribute, the choir performed You raise Me Up, a song by Josh Groban. A beautiful nod highlighting the contribution of a passionate person who contributed so much to local culture during his venerable life.
A burning passion
“I feel very good! This is not my first performance in front of a great audience,” admitted Marcel St-Martin, surrounded by admirers and relatives during the intermission.
The artist began his musical career in 1935 with the Brothers of the Sacré-Cœur. Later, in the 1940s, he was part of the Sainte-Famille choir. He then took lessons in Montreal with a great teacher, Albert Cornellier.
Music has been part of his entire life. He sang as much for the general public as for the sick and the most deprived. The man pursued a career as a civil servant at the Ministry of Transport, without ever letting his passion dry up.
As mentioned, Marcel St-Martin was one of the first members of the Friendship Choir. He said he was proud to see the artistic ensemble on stage, very much alive, after all these years. To the great joy of the centenary, the choir also attracts crowds.
“Félix Leclerc’s play is very important to me. He’s a great artist and the song is current. It’s May and the ground is wet!”
— Marcel St-Martin
The question had to be asked concerning the famous secret of its longevity. The journalist received a simple response, but full of lucidity and good heart.
“Art and song have something to do with it. But I would say that I have always been physically active. Physical activity is very important,” he concluded, with laughter in his voice.
