Linda Gentille once again is the ‘Piano Princess’

BY

Linda Gentille, “The Piano Princess,” returned to Canyon Lake last Saturday with yet another impressive and rousing performance in the Holiday Bay Room at the Lodge. Featuring music from American composers such as Berlin, Gershwin and Bernstein, the enthusiastic audience was captivated by her artistry, beauty and charm.

Billed as “The American Piano Show,” this impressive performance was sponsored by the Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild. It’s not unusual for artists performing at the Lake to receive a standing ovation, but this stunning virtuoso was commanding thunderous “standing O’s” by her third number.

In her own unique flamenco style of keyboarding, Ms. Gentille seemingly uses all 88 keys on every tune. Highlights of the evening included “Maria” and “Somewhere” from “Westside Story,” an Armed Forces medley and the entire “Rhapsody in Blue” concerto. Speaking fluently in eight languages, Ms. Gentille sang “Because of You” in Tagalog (Philippines).

With more than 2,000 songs in her vast repertoire, Ms. Gentille took audience requests for 10 songs. Without writing them down, she then played the entire list as a dazzling medley, in reverse order, including an eleventh as a tribute to her mother. Working regularly on luxury cruise lines, she joked that she refuses to play songs from “Titanic” and “Poseidon Adventure.”

Newly elected Fine Arts Guild President Travis Montgomery says, “I was overwhelmed by this spectacular performance and grateful for the always enthusiastic Canyon Lake audience.”

As for the Reel People’s rating of this performance?

Ron’s Rating: A   Leigh’s Rating: A

The next performance presented by the Fine Arts Guild and cohosted by the POA will be the Gary Bonner Singers matinee concert on Sunday, November 29. Then, on March 19, 2016, experience The Eagles songbook in “The Long Run” tribute concert (www.thelongrun.net).