“Singing in the rain” is 70 and Gene Kelly is alive again on France musique

parisdiaFashion, Performing arts1 Comment

Patricia Kelly and Marc Voinchet with the new Gene Kelly Hermès scarf which comes in 8 colors

Very soon the famous Hermès Kelly bag, named after Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, will have competition: a new scarf designed by the Canadian artist Geoff McFetridge on featuring Gene Kelly, to celebrate the 70 th anniversary of “Singing in the rain“. The film was recently rejuvenated by Warner and is screened in all French cinemas this summer. Patricia Kelly, his widow, is in Paris to record the series of broadcasts “Gene Kelly et moi”  which are aired in July and August on France Musique. For the first time, the famous choreographer, dancer and film director (who would be 110 this year) will be heard in an intimate way. Patrica spent ten years of their married life, taping him at cocktail hour, 5 pm, while he was drinking his vodka tonic. And sometimes during dinner. The result is a gripping story told with the most intimate and personal voice. This is the first time ever that these tapes are aired. Every Sunday morning at 11 am and on podcast.

Former minister of culture Roselyne Bachelot with Marc Voinchet, director of France Musique and Patricia Kelly wearing the first Hermès scarf Gene gave her

Former minister Roselyne Bachelot, who is a music lover, was there and so was Macha Meril, who was married to the music composer Michel Legrand, a very close friend of Gene Kelly’s, from 2014 to 2019. Brigitte Lefèvre danced his choreographies at the Paris Opera after he was asked in the 1960’s (the first American), to create ballets for the French company which she later ran for nineteen years.

This unique moment was taking place at Hotel Bedford, where France Musique often organizes broadcasts and whose director, Gérard Berrut, is a keen music lover. He reminded us that when his ancestor ran the place a hundred years ago, Saint Saens used to come and play.  Uniquely located near the Madeleine, on rue de l’Arcade, it still organizes frequent musical evenings.

Patrica Kelly with Gérard Berrut, the owner of Hotel Bedford in the historical music room with a 1900 decor

You can listen to Gene Kelly on France Musique all summer on Sundays at 11 am and on podcast. The Gene Kelly scarf is already for sale in every Hermès store.

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