In a world spinning sideways, geopolitical unrest, a Trump becoming increasingly bold, protests in Iran against Ayatollah Khamenei's regime, and so on and so forth... it's a comfort to immerse yourself for a moment in a concert called 'Get Happy' — a real pick-me-up. Music as a unifying force that transcends differences.
We don't stop to think about it enough, but we should cherish our blessings. It was once again an impressive musical journey: exuberant, vibrant, full of energy. Sopranos Lissa Meyvis and Alexandra Franck, accompanied by classical pianist Lester Van Look, feel completely at home on stage. With boldness and originality, they weave together diverse styles into a tasteful, imaginative musical voyage in finely tuned harmonic resonance. The whole thing is seasoned here and there with witty remarks and some philosophical musings.
Lissa Meyvis kicks things off with the song 'Happy days are here again', music by Milton Ager, lyrics by Jack Yellen. We might call it wishful thinking. A number from 1929 that has aged beautifully and hasn't lost any of its relevance today.
Then follows a duet 'Peas in a Pod ' by Grey Garden & Scott Frankel, to be interpreted as two hands on one belly. A song from the musical 'Grey Gardens'. Lester Van Look provides spirited piano accompaniment.
Now it's Alexandra Franck's turn to shine in the jazzy sung number 'Get Happy' a composition by Harold Arlen written in 1930. It only became hugely popular in 1950 through Judy Garland's version in the film 'Summer Stock'.
The 'Cat DuetThe 'Duetto buffo di due gatti' by Gioachino Rossini is a popular piece for two sopranos. Both ladies fully immerse themselves in the catty bickering, running up and down the scales, playful and challenging. Everything from the cat arsenal is brought out: growling, hissing, clawing, meowing… Delightful.
‘My Dear Marquis the famous cheerful aria, known as the laughing song, from the operetta 'Die Fledermaus' by Johann Strauss II is right up Lissa Meyvis's alley. With the greatest ease she immerses herself from one situation and atmosphere into another. Maid Adèle visits her boss's party in disguise, who doesn't recognize her. Her mimicry and body language are charming and bring a smile to your face.
‘Jealousy Duetfrom 'The Threepenny Opera' by Kurt Weill is a well-known number in which the rivalry between the characters Polly Peachum and Lucy Brown over the gangster Mackie Messer is brought to a head, a moment of quarrel and humor. Lissa and Alexandra go at it hammer and tongs. These are no pushovers!
The next number 'Maybe this Time from the film 'Cabaret' breathes a completely different mood: intimate, hopeful: 'Lady peaceful, lady happy, that's all I want to be'. Lissa performs it in a very touching, deeply felt way.
Alexandra in turn seeks her fortune in the operatic world with the aria of the courtesan Magda 'Chi il bel sogno di Dorettaby Gioachino Puccini. The intro is a cadenza for piano after which the main character from 'Ondine' sings her love dream… a romantic, simple love, away from her dissolute life in Paris.
Time for instrumental work. Lester Van Loock plays the sparkling impressionistic 'Ondinefrom 'Gaspard de la Nuit' by Maurice Ravel, described as one of the most difficult piano scores: a waterfall of sounds.
From the legacy of Charles Aznavour, Lissa Meyvis sings the beautiful 'Sa jeunesse'.
This chanson takes a philosophical turn: we often don't realize what we have until we lose it! Pure melancholy with a beautiful piano intro.
Alexandra brings a Dutch-language version of 'Send in the Clownsby Stephen Sondheim from the musical 'A Little Night Music' from 1973, an adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's film 'Smiles of a Summer Night'. A ballad in which the main character reflects on the irony and disappointments of her life.
Part one concludes with the duet 'Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl, a battle cry, a powerful message about determination and the pursuit of success.
After the intermission, soprano Alexandra Franck takes the stage first with a number by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren 'At Lastan iconic love song with a long history. It was first brought to the spotlight by Glenn Miller's orchestra in 1941.
Alexandra and Lissa dive into a mini identity crisis in the songI'm a Person Too from Leonard Bernstein's song cycle 'I hate music: A Circle of Five Kid Songs' written for soprano with piano accompaniment. Children's songs that express Bernstein's feelings about music in a lighthearted yet moving way.
Lissa surprises with a beautiful song on lyrics by Annie M.G. SchmidtHedgehogs' Lullaby a imaginative exploration of the animal kingdom.
Keyboard virtuoso Lester Van Loock showcases his talents with a fiendishly difficult piano workPrelude op.32 no.12 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. The piece is known for its flowing arpeggios. Another beautiful interpretation. He searches for the freedom the composer poured into his score.
Again a duetSull'aria from 'Le nozze di Figaro' by Mozart, we witness a plot: Suzanne and the Countess compose a love letter to trap Figaro. With sensuality and plenty of charisma, this becomes a gem of conspiracy.
Alexandra delivers in a heartfelt mannerI'm Here a composition by Brenda Russell & Allee Willis, a powerful song from the musical and film 'The Color Purple'. It's a central number that tells the transformation from victim to triumphant woman.
It's a real treat withAh, how beautiful is the sun by wordsmith Toon Hermans. Lissa Meyvis knows how to work with it and lets the song sparkle vocally with mimetic subtlety and nuance.
'And though the cloud may veil it' from the opera 'Der Freischütz' by Carl Maria von Weber. The grandeur of nature is described and the mysterious power of evil.
As the penultimate song, Alexandra and Lissa singThe Sisters by Johannes Brahms with a cheerful playful melody and harmonies. Here too the text is experienced with body and mime and end withHappy Days' and 'Get Happy'.
The circle is complete. Mission accomplished.
