With this ongoing pandemic many concert hall being shut down, one of the French mezzo-soprano decided to take her voice directly into people’s homes as a way to stay connected, and has found herself performing to families, Alpine shepherds and a couple of cats.
Sat comfortably on their couch and surrounded by family, Genevieve and Jacques, both in their nineties, have a front-row seat for a very intimate performance.
Professional singer Fiona McGown, 32 is delivering a powerful performance and moving programme of Benjamin Britten, Ravel and Rameau right there in their front room.
“It’s moving to hear such singing in your own home… and we hear it better than at a concert,” said former banker Jacques.
Some of the organisation is very of-the-moment: PCR tests the day before, a maximum of six people in the room, either vaccinated or wearing masks.
But it also has the feel of a bygone age.
“It’s like the recitals of the 19th century,” said McGown. “In a concert hall, we are blinded by the lights, we don’t see the faces. Here I can see you, feel you.”
The French-Scottish singer was used to performing on stage at least four times a month, and had been doing so since she was 12.