“Parapapam” Holiday Spectacular to Enchant Audiences in Montréal and Québec City
A dazzling festive production featuring Mélissa Bédard, Christian Marc Gendron, Manon Séguin, and Vladimir Kornéev will bring a unique blend of musical styles to stages across Québec this December.
The highly anticipated fourth edition of the holiday spectacle “Parapapam” is gearing up for its return, promising a captivating experience for audiences in Montréal and, for the first time, Québec City. Rehearsals were underway on Monday, featuring the show’s star vocalists – Mélissa Bédard, known for her role as an investigator on “Chanteurs masqués”; celebrated performer Christian Marc Gendron and his wife, Manon Séguin; and internationally acclaimed vocalist Vladimir Kornéev – as they previewed selections from the upcoming performances.
While Monday’s rehearsal offered a glimpse of the magic to come, it was just a fraction of the full-scale production. According to reports, the complete show will feature 35 musicians and 100 choristers, all under the direction of Frédéric Vogel, sharing the stage with the four featured artists. Guillaume Marchand, Marianne Trudel, Christian Marc Gendron, Manon Séguin, Mélissa Bédard, and Vladimir Kornéev were all present at a press conference Monday to discuss the upcoming performances.
Bédard, a self-proclaimed Christmas enthusiast, expressed her excitement about participating in the show. “I listen to Christmas albums in July!” she shared with a laugh, emphasizing her genuine passion for the holiday season. “It’s magical! I’ve done my own shows at Christmas for years, but I love the energy of performing with a group. Meeting other artists like Vladimir and everyone involved is incredibly inspiring,” she continued, praising Marianne Trudel’s leadership and the involvement of musicians from the Orchestre national de jazz de Montréal.
This year’s “Parapapam” promises a revitalized musical landscape, building upon its symphonic foundation while incorporating elements of jazz, blues, big band, gospel, and even Québecois music. Violinist Sébastien Savard will be among the featured performers, and Guillaume Marchand will serve as the musical director.
Bédard is particularly thrilled to share the experience with her seven-month-old son, Aaron, for his first holiday season. “I just bought his Christmas pajamas! I’ve been waiting so long for my son. He’s so beautiful that all my friends want to keep him. I’m possessive with him, I tell him: “You can’t leave the house before you’re 30 and you can’t have a girlfriend before you’re 35!” It’s going to be me, the love of his life!” she joked.
For Christian Marc Gendron and Manon Séguin, performing together is a natural extension of their artistic partnership, which extends to their productions under Christian Marc, including the upcoming “Trilogie” set to premiere in April 2026. Their six-year-old daughter, Kara, will also make a special appearance on stage, adding another layer to the family-oriented experience. “It’s very rewarding to be invited to a show like this, to be with so many musicians,” Gendron stated, noting his recent first nominations at the ADISQ awards.
Kornéev, currently touring Québec with “La vie en Piaf,” is eager to showcase his versatility beyond classical repertoire. He and Bédard will perform a jazz and gospel-infused rendition of “Silent Night,” and Kornéev will also present a new jazz bossa-nova arrangement of “Je reviens chez nous.” Having learned French less than three years ago, the Berlin-based singer is demonstrating impressive fluency.
Guy Lévesque returns as the director of this production by Les Agents doubles, who are encouraging Québec residents to support local artists by gifting tickets to “Parapapam” this Christmas.
Performances are scheduled for the Grand Théâtre de Québec on December 17th, and at the Maison symphonique de Montréal for five shows from December 26th to 28th.
