Sainte-Élisabeth church was packed to the rafters on a cold and windy autumn Sunday afternoon. Then the light came on, soft and warm, and the atmosphere warmed up: from songs to poems, Marie-Thérèse Fortin’s voice and Yves Léveillé’s piano created such an atmosphere that you might have thought you were in a Parisian café at the time of existentialism (Le mal de vivre – Dis quand reviendras-tu), somewhere in France (Nantes), or in Germany (Göttingen).

With the range and harmony of her voice, her physique and her all-black outfit, Marie-Thérèse Fortin wonderfully evokes the memory of the great French artist. Far from imitating her, the actress truly sings Barbara, recounts her life, reads excerpts from her biography and, in so doing, brings to life an era filled with memories.

An exchange between the artists and the audience followed, sharing the impact of the emotions aroused by the show. We were also able to draw parallels with what still inhabits our daily lives today: abuses, wars, conflicts, all the while allowing us to rally in our humanity and our collective consciousness. An extraordinary moment of community of spirit.

This concert, a tribute to the grande dame of French song by Quebec actress and singer Marie-Thérèse Fortin, accompanied by pianist emeritus Yves Léveillé, took place in North Hatley on October 27, 2024.