With its hundred artists on stage, the show Histoires sans mots presents until June 4 in Trois-Rivières the work of the legendary group Harmonium in a grandiose, modern format of overwhelming beauty.
During the premiere presented Tuesday evening at the Cogeco Amphitheater in Trois-Rivières, the show inspired by the Harmonium symphonique album delivered on its promise to transport spectators into the lyrical and poetic universe of the Quebec progressive rock group.
The sixty or so musicians from the Orchester symphonique de Trois-Rivières gently kicked off the show with the classics Je dis bonjour à la vie and Vert. They were accompanied by the Laval youth choir, whose forty voices blended perfectly with the sound of the instruments.
The first notes resonated like the air of spring in this performance hall which offered exceptional sound quality, in addition to a luminous visual environment.
An ultra-high-definition video wall, set up behind the stage, created the backdrop of an anonymous city and then brought viewers into the colorful world of Harmonium. A giant ceiling, installed above the stage, made it possible to animate the production, with the participation of dancers and acrobats.
Up a notch
In 2021, those nostalgic for Serge Fiori’s group, which was born 50 years ago in Quebec, had already been able to reconnect with their youthful successes, such as Pour un moment or Comme un sage, which had been adapted for the Symphonic Harmonium album, sold 150,000 copies.
On Tuesday, the crowd was able to appreciate the ambitious stage adaptation which further enhanced the quality of the recent album, which was both appreciated by the public and praised by critics.
The people in the Trois-Rivières hall of course warmly applauded the play A Musician Among Many Others adopted by Quebecers since its creation.
In addition, Kim Richardson’s very lively vocal solo in L’exil de L’Heptade was one of the highlights of the production.
The duration of the show, which is divided into two acts, is 140 minutes. In a particularly sustained rhythm, each of the songs followed without any downtime.
