A crowd of about 70 people gathered in the International Cultural Center for “Romance en France” Friday night, which featured a duo performing classical and popular French music.
The event, which was free and open to the public, featured the duo of singer Christine Renaud and pianist Louis Wendt. With a bottle of French wine sitting on a table as background, Wendt, dressed in a tuxedo, and Renaud, dressed in a formal gown, performed many French folk and classic songs, including stirring renditions of “Le Petit Bonheur,” “La Vie en Rose,” and “Mon Manège à Moi.” Wendt also performed instrumental pieces such as “La Goualante” and Erik Satie’s French classic “Gymnopédie,” often playing notes on an electric keyboard while playing the upright piano.
Wendt said exposing the LSU community to foreign music is important to understanding different cultures.
“I think any time that you bring different cultures into the scene it increases awareness and helps bridge gaps between different cultures, different mentalities and different views of what life is,” he said.
Wendt said activities like the recital can help mend problems between nations, especially the anxiety many Americans feel toward France for its refusal to support the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
“At this point in time there’s a lot of sore feeling with the French in particular. These kinds of things reaffirm our affinity for one another, the French and Americans. It’s kind of a love-hate relationship anyway. It always has been,” he said.
Reneaud, who was born in and lived in Paris, has performed at different areas around Louisiana, including the LSU Faculty Club, the International Heritage Festival in Lafayette and the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans to celebrate Beaujolais Noveau.
Reneaud recorded her own CD, entitled “Paris 2000.” The album was intended to celebrate the new millennium, and also can be used as an educational tool for those learning the French language, Reneaud said.
Wendt is a Baton Rouge native and has gained international prestige as a pianist, playing alongside France’s Orchestre de National Montpellier. He toured the world with Metropolitan Opera star Martina Arroyo. Wendt has played for numerous world leaders, including former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former U.S. Presidents George Bush and Jimmy Carter.
Wendt and Reneaud have known each other for more than 15 years and have performed with each other before, including a gig at the LSU Faculty Club. Wendt said Reneaud’s singing helps convey the message and attitude of the folk and classic pieces.
“When someone sings with their very being, you can’t help but empathize with them and support them,” Wendt said.