L’Accordéoniste is a trio of experienced improvisational specialists performing in an eclectic mix of styles and genres from German cabaret to Latin tango. Centred on the vocal dynamism of mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber and surrounded by the profound musical skills of accordionist Mary-Lou Vetere and pianist Peter Tiefenbach, this unique ensemble packs an emotional punch, blending multicultural, earthy flavours with the class of the concert hall.
Kimberly Barber, Peter Tiefenbach, and Mary-Lou Vetere are known individually for their virtuosity and versatility. Together, their rhythmic energy and ability to improvise freely within these arrangements results in an expressive tour-de-force and a fresh take on classic songs from the early 20th century. Mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber has sung on some of the great opera house and concert stages of the world. Her career balances the standard repertoire with contemporary and baroque works with smaller, experimental companies. Her discography includes a solo recording of arias by Handel and Hasse (CBC Records), the title role in Handel's Rinaldo (Naxos Records) and Ravel's L'Heure espagnole with the LSO under André Previn (DGG).
Peter Tiefenbach enjoys an extraordinarily varied career as a performer, composer and teacher. He has collaborated with many of Canada’s leading singers including Maureen Forrester, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Brett Polegato, Sally Dibblee, Kimberly Barber, Russell Braun, and Donna Brown. He also appears frequently with duo-piano partner, Robert Kortgaard. With soprano-comedienne Mary Lou Fallis, he has co-written several shows which have toured throughout Canada, to the U.S., Japan, England and Iceland.
Mary-Lou Vetere has performed extensively in three performance areas: piano, accordion, and voice, and is completing her PhD in Historical Musicology. As a mezzo-soprano, she has appeared as soloist in oratorios, operas, and numerous recitals in North America and Europe including her New York City debut in 2001 as the mezzo-soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Messe in C and the Chorale Fantasie with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.
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