Mireille Mathieu's reunion with Quebec audiences on Saturday evening was moving as the singer returned to the Place des Arts stage after an absence of more than 35 years. And she was able to live up to expectations and her status as an icon: touching, warm and, above all, with absolutely spectacular singing. In short, the definition of a triumphant return.
The Quebec public was visibly bored with the great lady of French song; In the minutes before the curtain opened, we could feel the excitement in the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts and the fans couldn't wait to see their idol again. The excitement was at its peak when Mireille Mathieu finally appeared at the end of a musical introduction, accompanied by a video montage with images from her youth.
In a sequined dress, the 77-year-old singer sang “When Night Comes to the City” with a confidence that left no doubt: the past few years have not taken anything away from her talent. His voice is still as clear and powerful as ever and incredibly precise.
“I am delighted and emotional to be in Montreal this evening after a long absence. You gave me your heart, I'll give you mine,” the singer said to a crowd that jumped to their feet to welcome her.
Repeated ovations
These ovations quickly became regular, almost systematic, as the evening progressed. Many fans also came to the stage, bouquets of flowers in their hands as offerings and signs of affection for their idol. In living memory, we have never seen such a warm and enthusiastic audience at a metropolitan venue.
But Mireille Mathieu was also particularly generous towards her fans and played no fewer than 27 songs during the two and a half hour concert (including a break, of course). “Why the world is without love”, “The first star”, “Farewell to the Acropolis”, “Forgive me for this childish whim”, “My credo…” The singer picked up the most important titles one by one helped her become an icon of the song around the world.
Classic and timeless
All this supported by great lighting and an elegant and classic, timeless scenography, like Mireille Mathieu.
The highlight of the evening? Certainly his reinterpretation of The Hymn to Love, borrowed from the equally great Édith Piaf. A moment of grace that lasted a few minutes but was worth the price of the ticket alone. Mireille Mathieu was also particularly touched by Maman, the most beautiful in the world – dedicated to her late mother – and her divine “Bravo tu a sais”, reserved for the end of the evening, which still gives us goosebumps the day after the concert.
Now let's hope that Mireille Mathieu doesn't make us wait so long for her next visit to Quebec.
►Mireille Mathieu returns to the stage at Place des Arts in Montreal tonight. She will be at the Grand Théâtre de Québec on Tuesday and at the Salle Maurice O'Bready in Sherbrooke on Friday.