The artists of L’Accordéoniste boast a collective experience ranging from the great opera houses of the world and the broadcast media to top-notch classical ensembles, recording studios, concert platforms, and cabaret and nightclub settings. All experienced improvisational specialists in a variety of styles and genres, the group identifies itself through the vocal dynamism of mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber, surrounded by the profound musical skill and emotional punch of accordionist Mary-Lou Vetere and pianist Peter Tiefenbach.
These three Canadian musicians come from varied backgrounds, but share a wealth of musical experience. Mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber has sung with major opera companies (Paris Opera, English National Opera, Frankfurt Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, New York City Opera and many others) and in important concert halls (Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Wigmore and Barbican Halls in London, Avery Fisher and Weill Halls in New York, to name a few) around the world since 1985, and is featured on major recordings (Deutsche Grammophon, CBC Records and Naxos). Pianist Peter Tiefenbach is well-known to Canadian radio audiences for his erudite broadcasting work with CBC on The Arts Tonight, and is a respected collaborative pianist (working with the likes of Wendy Nielsen, Mary Lou Fallis, Isabel Bayrakdarian and many others), duo pianist (with Robert Kortgaard), arranger and composer. Mary-Lou Vetere is a virtuoso accordionist who has been playing since the tender age of 4, and is also possessed of a mighty intellect: she is currently finishing a groundbreaking book on late 19th Century Opera, entitled From Verdi to Verismo.
Together, this group constitutes L’Accordéoniste. Building on a program reflecting diverse areas of the vocal canon—German and French cabaret-style repertoire, including works by Kurt Weill and other German émigrés, and songs made popular by Edith Piaf and Mistinguett; Neapolitan songs—normally the property of Italian tenors, but which gain a different flavour when performed with the timbre of a female voice; and Tango repertoire—this unique ensemble blends multicultural, earthy flavours with the class of the concert hall.
The genesis of the group occurred in preparation for a 2007 recital performance by Ms Barber and Mr. Tiefenbach, who had programmed a number of French and German cabaret-style numbers for their concert. Having recently heard the virtuousic playing of Mary-Lou Vetere, Ms Barber suggested that the accordion might provide an interesting colour for these songs and offer an opportunity to feature Ms Vetere. The collaboration proved so successful with the audience and was such an inspiration to the collaborators, that plans for a CD project soon were realized. In 2008, after numerous meetings and rehearsals, L’Accordéoniste was born. Several concerts and recording sessions (in collaboration with additional musicians Julie Baumgartel, violin, Paul Pulford, cello, and Carol Bauman, percussion) resulted in the debut CD, L’Accordéoniste.
Artist Biographies:
