The Jazz Fauré Project becomes a Musical

SUMMER on the SEINE

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    Concept by Claudia Hommel
    Play by Amanda Hartley with additional contributions by Deborah Ann Percy
    English lyrics by Arnie Johnston with additional lyrics by Claudia Hommel
    Songs composed by Gabriel Fauré
    Arrangements by Dennis Luxion and Bobby Schiff.

The musical setting is where French impressionism meets American jazz: the songs of 19th century French composer Gabriel Fauré are arranged for 21st century jazz combo and vocals, and why not? Our music is full of color and light and fleeting spontaneous gestures. Romance, cynicism, hopes and dreams.

The place: an inn and guinguette (dance floor) on an island in the Seine just a train and ferry ride west of Paris.

The characters: A group of artists, musicians, their patrons and friends, include the painter René D’Orsay; his friend, fellow artist and dealer Gustave clément; a songwriter Gabriel (Gabe) Menard; Gabe’s brother Johnny Menard (a star, a mix of Johnny Rodgers-Cash-Depp-Halliday-Hess); a young seamstress Lydia Fiore; the innkeepers Pierre and Marie-Claire Fournier; their daughter Paula Fournier, a writer of poetry; René’s model friend, professional call-girl Angèle D’Étiolles; Madame X, an actress, connoisseuse of art with money to spend; her husband Mr. Lambert, an American industrialist; inn helpers Gaston and Colette. Four members of the jazz band.

The whole gang is together, engaging in banter and play. The world is fast changing around them; can they hold onto the shimmer of this idyllic life. The railroad threatens to take over the property. Johnny's arrival disrupts the love affairs with his dreams of glory in America. The artist may have captured the heart of the seamstress (she is holding a flute; does she know how to play it?), but can he, Renoir-like, capture the moment?

STAGE SETTING

A balcony with verdant trees by the bank overlooking the river Seine as it flows to the sea. The balcony is covered by a bright orange and white striped awning. Several white-linen-covered tables. The one downstage is overflowing with wine bottles, glasses, a cornucopia of fruit and baguettes. A spinet piano is up against the banister. In addition to members of the Jazz Fauré Ensemble, most of the principals, dressed in relaxed 19th century dress and hats, are in place as models for René’s painting. A scrim of the painting can be lifted to reveal the action.