Audio By Carbonatix
French novelist Paul Bourget called his poem Beau Soir, “beautiful evening” as a way to nudge the senses and romanticize the passage of time through the metaphor of the dying of the day. The Beau Soir Series might not be heavy on the implications of ageism or concerned too much with the memento mori and detritus of life, but it certainly looks for beauty in a different version of time.
Open mic nights might immediately bring forth the idea of anachronistic beatniks and bongo drums giving cadence to bad poetry, but in this version of the weeknight coffeehouse staple, classical singers are invited to perform arias and art songs a cappella as long as they provide the sheet music.
This does, in fact, take its cue from Bourget’s work as interpreted by the French composer Claude Debussy, who understood both rhythmically and philosophically the transient beauty of night entering consciousness. This is in essence the original lofty goal of open mic nights before they devolved into parodies of themselves. Presented by Music All Around Inc., singers, regardless of skill level, are encouraged to participate and will be accompanied on piano by Fernando Landeros.
Tired of belting out arias in the shower? Try your luck in front of other participants and classical music lovers this Wednesday at 8 p.m. at La Paloma Music Studio (33 NW 118 St., Miami). Admission is $5 plus a $1.27 service fee. Call 305-754-4305 or visit beausoir.us.
Wed., Sept. 17, 8 p.m., 2014
