When you think of Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, the first thing that comes to mind is rarely the music. The theme tune, perhaps, but more often than not the soundtrack that accompanies the cartoons that have accompanied the childhoods of many generations. However, once you get the hang of it, you’ll soon realize that classical music is at the forefront of many a cartoon. That’s what this concert, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, is all about. Not only are excerpts from operas, ballets and classical symphonies present in the soundtrack of these cartoons, but the original score skilfully arranges these excerpts to suit the images, without distorting the source material.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony thus unfolds in the format of a ciné-concert. The Orchestre FILMharmonique, who perform the score for the Montreal version of this concert, are specialists in this genre and demonstrate their expertise in the field. The interpretation is flawless, with impeccable precision and exemplary dynamism. The orchestra is satisfactorily amplified. The only drawback: the click track used to synchronize sound and image is clearly audible during moments of silence.
On a large screen dominating the stage at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, several cartoons scroll past, to the delight of all. We rediscover the best-known cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, of course, but also Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, and all our other favourite characters. A little surprise: new cartoons, created especially for this concert, are also presented. The excellent FILMharmonic Orchestra is conducted by George Daugherty, the creator of this concert. Throughout the evening, he shares anecdotes about the creation of Bugs Bunny and the music featured in it.
Throughout the evening, the audience is entertained, and many an exclamation is heard when melodies or characters are recognized. This is a very well-crafted concert, with beautifully performed music that will charm young and old alike.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, a local production by GFN Productions, with the Orchestre FILMharmonique and George Daugherty. Two more performances on Sunday, January 14, at 2pm and 7pm. TICKETS AND INFO HERE!
Crédit Photo credit: Martin Bélanger, courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery
