Chantal: A Night at the Pyramids (2008)

On the night of September 7, 2007, international singer/songwriter Chantal Chamandy, made history by becoming the first person ever to be granted permission to perform a taped concert at the base of The Pyramids on the Giza plateau in Egypt. The night was especially important for the Egyptian-born Chamandy, currently based in Montreal, as she returned to her birthplace to deliver a positive portrayal of middle-eastern culture. Chamandy performed alongside the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, dancers from the Egyptian National Ballet Company and Tanoura dancers in front of a capacity audience of 5,000 people. In addition, acclaimed director Gerard Pullicino (Beyonce, Madonna, Celine Dion), choreographer Genevieve Dorion-Coupal (The Beatles' "Love" by Cirque du Soleil) and set designer Guy St-Amour (also from Cirque du Soleil) added their unique style to this special performance.

 The Fusion Of The Temporal With The Timeless ~ A Vision Realized
After the '08 release of Chantal Chamandy's CD `Beladi (meaning: "My Country") Chantal felt the need to re-establish her connection with her Egyptian roots. Truly a citizen of the world; the multi-lingual Lebanese and Greek extraction was born in Alexandria, Egypt but grew up in Quebec, Canada. Her desire to express herself through her music on her native soil was an immense undertaking which is documented in disc 2 of the set titled quite appropriately `The Journey'.

The first and primary disc is the concert performed on the Giza Plateau directly in front of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid. The evening is advertised as a magical and mystical event and with the awe inspiring Sphinx all aglow gazing into the camera during the performance how could it be anything but?

However Chantal has more than just the enchanting setting to offer her audience. She is also a talented singer/songwriter/performer. Her lyrics, music and movements are exotic, sensual and alluring, no doubt magnified by the fact that she's quite attractive. I'm not sure who or what I spent the most time staring at, her or the timeless sandstone entity peering over her shoulder.

There's a lot of entertainment value in `Chantal: A Night at the Pyramids'. Chantal herself, her wonderful dance ensemble from Montreal, local Egyptian dancers recruited just days before the performance, the Cairo Symphony and more. An enjoyable evening of entertainment awaits the viewer in the timeless "Land of the Pharaohs!" April 29, 2008

 Truely Amazing!
A really great presentation. Chantal has a beautiful voice, and even though I can't understand all the lyrics (different languages), the music, lyrics and performance on the whole made for a fantastic show. The setting is unique and very mystical, the entire environment helps to take you on a very enjoyable tour. Great Job! April 18, 2008

 Manifique!
Chantal, the beautiful singer, songwriter, producer, gives a bravura, tour de force that has to be seen to be believed! Even then it is hard to believe one single artist can create and perform so,so much. The music is a stirring blend of Spanish rumba, Middle Eastern, and mtv pop. Magnificent stage craft, stagging and lighting. and glorious choreography and enough costume changes alone to bring most artists to exhaustion. Chantal,s voice ranges from Disco to Barbra Striesandish power and her songs range from down and dirty sensuous and seductive to a children,s chorus filled with family values! If one single artist could personify world beat it is Chantal. Dancing creativity and artifice alone worth the price of admission. One multi-media Cirque de soliel meets Las Vegas meets MTV sensation! April 4, 2008

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