Marco Calliari and friends gave fans more than their money’s worth with a super performance at last Sunday’s concert at La Maison des Arts de Laval. Pictured to Marco's left is Lysandre Champagne, on trumpet.
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Photo:Marco5
Marco Calliari: charm, energy and powerful voice
Magical tour of Italy's most cherished music
As promised and delivered in his Mia Dolce Vita album, Marco Calliari wowed his adoring fans with a concert of delightful and delicious music that spanned over 100 years of Italy’s finest classics and most popular songs, starting in the 1890s and concluding in the third millennium (2000).
Once again, Calliari proved his uncanny ability to give a fresh sound to time-tested tunes, covering everything from wedding music to opera pieces, some of it with disarming mischief, the rest with charm, elegance, and deep feeling. In his inimitable style, Calliari lit up the stage at the Théâatre des Muses de la Maison des Arts with a two-hour cabaret which at times was dramatic, other times energetic, and often light-hearted – all of it reflecting a wide range of human emotions.
And the production values? You’ll find none better anywhere. How can you beat an appearance by your mother and father who come on stage to be with you because they haven’t seen you for a while, with the dad actually showing up in his bathrobe, supposedly coming out of the shower while you’re on the phone with your mother? And then, you sing with your mother and father.
Family support
Why were his parents, Mario and Franca there?
“They have always been very supportive of what I do and they have followed me to many places, as far as Gaspe,” the singer told his audience in a moment of great pride. Also in the audience was Marco’s sister, Monica, who completed the family affair. Nice touch, to say the least.
Furthermore, although Calliari and his four consummate musicians are quite capable of letting their music do the talking, by itself, they nonetheless gave the audience even more to relish and enjoy as they played on a stage decorated with precious props like Italian antiques, a move that produced an ambiance that only Calliari’s vivid imagination, fertile mind, and full heart could create.
Musical journey in three millenniums
The concert ran the gamut of the 100 years of celebrated Italian music (1892-2000), with ballads, Neapolitan favourites, and songs with political bite which ridiculed the Fascist excesses of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. The 1960s also got heir share of attention as Calliari recreated some of the scenes through music reminiscent of Federico Fellini’s own La Dolce Vita
Also evident in the concert was Calliari’s fondness for the music of the Trentino region of Italy, his father’s birthplace, where the Alps rule and where the Cori Alpini (traditional choral music groups of the mountains) are kings.
And originality too, as evidenced in a song about his coming-of-age experiences and growing up as a second-generation immigrant in Montreal’s St. Michel district.
Modern to the hilt but respectful of tradition, Marco Calliari also paid tribute to one of civilization’s most revered institutions – marriage – with arguably the best piece of the concert, a stirring rendition of La Mattinata, in which he recreated a traditional wedding ceremony.
The full house of appreciative fans gave Marco Calliari and Company an enthusiastic heart-felt adieu at the end surpassing the warm welcome when they first came on stage, a statement that they had thoroughly enjoyed what had come in between.
Discovering musical treasures
"I had no idea what to expect," said Patricia Juliano, who attended the concert on a friend's invitation. "I had never heard his name before, but loving Italian music I ventured forth to hear this former member of the Montreal metal group, Anonymous, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. He engaged us with his effusive personality, entertaining us with his powerful raspy voice. Among the songs I reveled in most were Recitar! Vesti La Giubba, Chitarra Romana, L'Americano, La Montanara, and Mattinata ," she elaborated. "I was also particularly impressed with Lysandre Champagne, an accomplished trumpet player who bubbled with lively enthusiasm, the perfect complement to Marco's bouncy expressive presence. The evening passed in a blink of an eye. Did I enjoy the show? Tremendously. Would I recommend it to others? Without a doubt," new fan Patricia concluded.
Photo:Marco
(Photo:Maya)<@$p>
Photo:Marco5
(Photo: Maya)
Météo: Laval, 22 mai 2008 / 12°C
/ Faible averse de pluie
/ Vents: 9 Km/h / Humidité relative: 67 % 
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Steven Guilbeault - 
