Still Fiddling Around

Continuing our tour around the world with Fiddler on the Roof, we come to the renown Ivan Rebroff.

Rebroff is a highly-regarded Russian basso, yet he starred as Tevye in the Paris production of Fiddler on the Roof.  In fact, he starred in it for 3-1/2 years.

This 9-1/2 minute clip isn't from a stage production of the show, but it's the next best thing, one of his concerts.  And that's because he just throws himself into the performance and wrings every single moment out of it, with great joie de vivre, including being his own fiddler.  There is some lovely subtlety here -- but for the most part, subtlety is a secondary thought. 

The first number is performed in French, "Ah, Si J'etais Riche."  For the second, he sings "To Life" in English in all its exuberant glory.

Would that there was more of his performance in the show on video.  It was probably quite an experience.  If he doesn't actually love what he's doing -- then he's an even better actor than he appears.