Laval's Serge Bedrossian in concert at Place des Arts

Bedrossian, whose charm is only exceeded by his talent for turning vocal phrases and musical notes into heartfelt emotion, was masterful the entire evening, giving every indication that he wanted to please, and please he did.

“It’s my way of giving back to life,” he told Courrier Laval, adding that he loved to sing because it sustains his love for life and living and puts passion into the everyday challenges all human beings face in their search for love and acceptance. “Love needs help to flourish and lovers need the inspiration and motivation that often come from the words and music of composers and singers,” said Bedrossian, a singer-composer who touches the heart with ease, through interpretations of a wide variety of themes that fill his repertoire.

Asked why he sang in so many languages, Bedrossian’s voice took on smiling tones as his eyes spoke volumes: “Love is universal, both in its wondrous ecstasy and in its devastating agony, so why not sing in as many languages as suits the audience. My mission is to please people, validate their own experiences with love and loss and lift their spirits, so I do it as often as I can in as many languages as I can - French, English, Italian, Armenian, Arabic and more.”

The Place des Arts concert was one such occasion and Serge Bedrossian sang in all these languages, covering a wide range of his most familiar and best-loved work, superbly accompanied by his faithful drummer, Miguel, who’s been performing with him for five years, and by Laurent, who added his indispensable touch on keyboards.

An accomplished musician himself, Bedrossian also gave the audience the gift of his piano playing – a solo piece that took everyone in the room into the warmth of his talent and into the glow of the love he feels for the world around him.

Young at heart and full of mischief, Bedrossian says he’ll never grow up because he loves the challenge of staying fresh and unaffected. “Look,” he says with that inimitable twinkle in his eye, “life is full of surprises, so why not add a few of your own to the way you relate to people.”

And surprise he did, with a closing number sung in Arab, a fitting way to conclude the evening, but there was more than just a song, although his passionate rendition would have certainly pleased his fans. Always willing to share the stage with other talents, Bedrossian outdid himself with the introduction of beautiful belly dancer Baladi Marilyne Baladi. Her dance, in the classic tradition of heart-warming choreography, and the singer's vocal caresses of beautiful lyrics, gave the audience such a thrill that they rewarded the singer and dancer with a sustained standing ovation. "I looked at our little duet as a celebration for all," the singer emphasized.

As for the concert, Serge Bedrossian was a smash hit. Pouring his feelings into several songs made famous by his favourite singer, Charles Aznavour, Bedrossian produced his own vivid images of the words and music, conquering the audience with the power of a loving heart. The people, knowing they had a good thing, kept asking for more.

The succesful concert featured many of the singer-composer's own works, including a stirring rendition of ‘Prête moi ta voix’, (Lend me your voice), and the profoundly touching L'Enfant d'un autre, sung for Cedrika Provencher and in solidarity with Cedrika's devastated family who still hope against hope that the lost child will someday come home. "I'm a father of a young girl. I feel for Cedrika's parents so I thought I would compose a song of hope for her family and friends who must miss her very much," Mr. Bedrossian told Courrier Laval a few days after the concert. "There are many forms of prayer, and singing is my way of supporting Cedrika's family in their time of need," said the singer-composer.

Asked what he thought of the audience, Bedrossian quickly replied: "When one sings for people who appreciate your talent, it warms the heart and makes it so much easier to give it your best, and that's what I did as my little gift to them, in the hope that they would go home happy to have been a part of this little evening of mystery, magic, and music."

Photo:Key

(Photo: Marc-Andre Menard)

Photo:Micro

(Photo: Marc-Andre Menard)

Photo:Belly

(Photo: Marc-Andre Menard)

“Music is a large part of my life, I take it both seriously and lightly, seriously because talent needs work and lightly because I find it easy to do something I love so much, to please people with my art,” Serge Bedrossian says, the twinkle still shining brightly in the eyes that are the mirror to his loving soul.

You can enjoy Mr. Bedrossian's singing at an evening performance on Tuesday, December 11, at Restaurant Saverio on Labelle Blvd. in Laval.

Photo: Pic

(Photo: Marc-Andre Menard)