Francis van Broekhuizen flourishes, both in jogging suit and gala robe, sees Jacques d’Ancona | review The Francis and Dominic Show ★★★★☆

But in her profession she does not lose contact with the classical concert stages. However, she is now in a theatrical format, at the invitation of English double bassist Dominic Seldis, who entered the public domain as a disarming jury member of the program Maestro .

Cozy in jogging suit

The scene suggests a messy dressing room with a flight case, a couch and household appliances. Supposedly they are preparing for the performance. What then happens in elaborate dialogues and sketches makes no sense. As a duo, before the break, they practice a genre that you didn’t attribute to them: unhinged entertainment, interspersed with animation films. Work has been done. Francis scurries around, cozy in jogging suit. Opposite her, the savvy Dominic tries to take control as a presenter. Very evenly matched in a series of anecdotes and comically organized stories. Do they also do music? Every now and then something from Purcell or a piece from the opera comes along Tuscany in which Van Broekhuizen sings the heart out of her body, just like her idol Maria Callas.

The atmosphere shifts drastically

Think of it as a kind of introduction. We are waiting for part II, the concert. He appears in a distinguished costume as a soloist on the double bass and as a conductor. She wears a brightly colored, flattering gala robe, and (no longer in the background) sits with a number of strings loaded orchestra. It can go a long way. Slightly less chasing laughter, so the atmosphere has shifted drastically. A bow to interaction with the public is also provided. No problem. There are candidates for handling musical instruments and the position of conductor is also available…

Such a classic Dutch song as Under the trees of the square set the tone in the second set. Endearingly contrasted with French chansons or an Argentine tango. And of course, where Francis van Broekhuizen flourishes, sounds Climb every Mountain from her favorite musical The Sound of Music in which she impressively played the role of the Mother Superior. In the final she sings a fun duet with Dominic Seldis. Let me put it this way: vocals are not his forte.