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Third Stop: Paris
June 26, 2007
Playing Paris must have been a real treat
for Barbra Streisand.
Personally, she has always
had an affinity for the
city, it's culture,
couture, and cuisine.
Professionally, her career
is intertwined with that
city's most profound
musical composer. So it
was no surprise that
Barbra had something
special planned for her
concert in The City of
Lights. Much to the
delight of those in
attendance, Barbra decided
that her Paris performance
would include a ballad she
first sang in the early
'70s called "The Summer
Knows." Barbra's only
recording of this sultry
movie theme is found on
her 1971 album, Barbra
Joan Streisand. Tonight in
Paris, Barbra performed it
publicly for the first
time in her career.
"The Summer Knows" was written by Barbra's friend and frequent
collaborator, French composer Michel Legrand. Legrand and Streisand
have a long and creative musical history together. The two worked
side by side on the musical score to "Yentl." Another Legrand
composition, "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" has become a
staple of every recent Streisand performance. It was also Legrand
who conducted and arranged Barbra's French language album, Je
m'appelle Barbra in 1966, which includes Barbra's first composition, "Ma Première Chanson,"
performed this evening as well.
In 1971, Legrand won an Oscar for his original musical score to the
movie "Summer of '42," the only Academy Award this coming-of-age
blockbuster received. The score is built around the film's central
musical theme, "The Summer Knows." Legrand (with composers
Alan & Marilyn Bergman) also took home Oscar gold for writing the
music to the film, "Yentl."
And we also know Michel Legrand was in attendance tonight for this
very special homage.
The Legion of Honor Commendation
June
28, 2007
 In ceremonies that took
place in Paris this evening, the French government decorated Barbra
Streisand as an Officer in the French Legion of Honor. This
represents a prestigious promotion in rank from the Legion
commendation she received back in 1984. Barbra is being recognized
with this award for her extraordinary contributions to the enrichment
of French culture.
 The ceremony began at 7:30 PM in the ballroom of the Presidential
residence, Elysée. President Nicolas Sarkozy was on hand for Barbra's
presentation, the first entertainer he has ever personally inducted. A
statement from the President's office regarding Barbra's honor was
released yesterday:
"The President of
the Republic will pay homage to the immense talent of this
multi-faceted artist...with a single voice, this actress and director
has impacted so many people...the award will reflect the affection of
the French people for this exceptional woman, who loves France..."
Established by
Napoleon in 1802, there are actually five degrees to the Legion of
Honor award. Barbra's previous award was the Legion's more specific
Arts and Letters commendation. This time around, Barbra was
promoted in to the rank of Officer. Barbra joins another
American entertainer, Jerry Lewis, who was similarly honored with the
Officer award in 1984. He was promoted to the rank of
Commander during ceremonies that took place last year.
President Sarkozy's remarks:
"Your name, your voice, your face are known to all the
French...From generation to generation, your voice will be
eternal...You represent the America we love...You bring our two
peoples closer."
Barbra
Streisand's remarks:
"I leave with a sense of
inspiration and responsibility as an artist to always reflect
the truth, and as a citizen to try and create a world of
justice, compassion, equality and peace - one with a little more
music and a little more joy."
Local Review
June
27, 2007
From 24 Heures (Translated from the original French text)
Barbra Streisand Brings
Broadway to Bercy
Barbra Streisand brought a little flavor of Broadway to her
performance at Paris-Bercy sports palace Tuesday evening. Actually, it
was more like a state visit for the American performer, not the
typical bill of fare for the sports arena. It's the American's first
concert in France in her 47 year career, and an impressive list of
celebrities came out for the occasion: Cécilia Sarkozy, the wife of
the President of the Republic (the President was not in attendance),
Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his wife Christine Ockrent,
Charles Aznavour, Alain Delon, Michel Legrand, Philippe Douste-Blazy,
Line Renaud, Didier Barbelivien and Marie Laforêt.
10,000 people attended despite prohibitive ticket prices ranging from
112 euros (to sit behind the stage) to 582 euros. A portion of the
evening's proceeds will be donated to various philanthropic
organizations by way of the singer's Streisand Foundation.
The star arrived on stage in an elegant black gown and was immediately
greeted with a standing ovation. She was backed by a 58 piece
orchestra and, on several numbers, accompanied by four Broadway
singers. "I am so happy to be singing for the first time for you,"
she declared in French amid thundering applause.
The rendition of some of her best known classics, like "Funny Girl,"
"Evergreen," a beautiful version of "People," "My Man," "The Way We
Were" and "Don't Rain on My Parade" proved that her voice has not lost
any of its vitality.
Ever since her Broadway debut in the early sixties, Barbra Streisand
has been the ultimate professional and leaves nothing to chance. Her
song set was the same as in the United States, on her live album, and
at her previous performances in Europe, the first of which took place
on June 18 in Zürich. The dialogue she spoke between songs was also
the same as in previous shows, although her jokes about food are
tailored for each place she visits (for Paris, she mentioned quenelles
and macaroons). Even more amazing was the large tele-prompter facing
the stage. It not only contained the words to the songs, but also the
text of her spoken dialogue, an apparent safety net for the singer in
case memory lapse.
But she does know how to handle unscripted scenes. When one spectator
yelled "I love you, Barbra" in English, her comeback was quick:
"Get in line."
The show consisted of two acts, each lasting about an hour, and
separated by an intermission. It was a much older and sophisticated
crowd given the price of tickets. There were lots of foreigners in
attendance, and some of the women were decked out in formal evening
attire, quite unusual for the Bercy. Diehard fans could spend even
more money on souvenirs: 34 to 45 euros for T-shirts, 20 euros for
coffee mugs and posters, 200 euros for a leather tour jacket, or a
more affordable 5 euros for a set of buttons.
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