Singer, dancer, recording artist, television presenter, runner and wife -- all this and beauty too are part of the profile of Manitoba-born Gise nle Fredette, who is in Bermuda to perform with fellow singer Bernard Levasseur under the auspices of L'Alliance franc uaise des Bermudes this weekend.

One of six children born into a musical family whose members have sung professionally in such prestigious locations as New York's Metropolitan Opera House, it was in Ms Fredette's genes to follow suit.

Recalling a childhood where musical evenings at the family home, with or without guests, were the norm, she says: "We were like the von Trapps.

Whenever people came to dinner, they expected a concert afterwards. It was known that this was part of the Fredette household.'' Although she has studied ballet, jazz and flamenco dancing as well as piano, singing remains her first love. Indeed, from age five, when she sang in the children's section of the same choir as parents, Ms Fredette has performed in many settings and before widely varied audiences.

A mezzo-soprano whose versatility allows her to perform a wide variety of material, including opera and popular music, Ms Fredette sings in six languages.

Not unnaturally, since French is her first language, she has a special affinity for the music of French composers and singers, which makes her a perfect choice for Saturday's soire me cabaret. She also enjoys the music and dance of Spain, and often performs in Spanish programmes and operas.

Ms Fredette has sung the lead role in the opera Carmen many times -- which handily combines her love of French composers with an Iberian theme, and also allows her to play the castinets perfectly -- thanks to her flamenco training.

At quite the other end of the spectrum, she is presently preparing for the role of Eliza Doolittle in a production of My Fair Lady in Toronto -- where a cockney accent is required.

Together with her husband, the singer makes her home in Toronto, and says of her busy career, "I am one of the few lucky Canadians who lives and works in Canada''.

In addition to her other talents, Ms Fredette is a composer, and is currently working on her first album which will feature all her own songs, as well as the voice of well-known Canadian tenor Matt DuBois.

"It has a classical overtone but with what I call film-score music,'' she explains of the project.

While it is the first time the mezzo soprano has performed with Mr. Levasseur, she is excited at the prospect.

"I love doing concerts with a baritone,'' she explains. "As a mezzo it is nice to be singing with a lower register voice.'' For his part, Mr. Levasseur is equally pleased to be singing with Ms Fredette.

A French-speaking native of the Province of Quebec, the singer was one of seven children born to a mother with a beautiful voice and no opportunity to pursue professional training. While she was always an inspiration, it took her many years to convince her son to begin formal voice studies.

The young Bernard also had no interest whatsoever in classical music, and "couldn't see the purpose'' of opera. Rather, he preferred the music of pop artists Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, Nana Mouskouri, and flautist Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull -- although in the latter case he listened closely to the baritone voice on his albums.

"I was working in a warehouse with big guys, so they initiated me to this wonderful music,'' he relates. "I was far removed from the classical world.'' For a while, Mr. Levasseur studied Science at the University of Montreal in addition to his day job, but at age 24 gave that up in favour of singing lessons "just for fun''.

Finally, at age 28 he got serious, gave up the warehouse job, moved to Montreal, and subsequently gained his Master's degree in voice at that city's university. An additional year's study gained him a Diploma in superior studies -- "a way for the university to keep you an extra year'', he jests -- during which time he also sang the lead role in the opera Don Giovanni.

"Nature gives a lot in the voice, and lessons do the rest,'' he says of the years of study. Like all singers, however, he continues to work on the never-ending process of improving his technique.

In 1994 Mr. Levasseur recorded a CD of French songs by Faure m, following which he toured America and Japan with the celebrated accompanist Dalton Baldwin.

Now he is preparing to record a second CD of French secular music with an eminent Canadian organist, which is perhaps fitting because he lives in the presbytery of a downtown Montreal church, where he is also the part-time sacristan.

"It is a wonderful job which not only gives me financial security but also allows me plenty of time to sing,'' he explains.

In the audience for his New York debut recital was Dr. Karol Sue Reddington of the Bermuda Conservatory of Music faculty, who is an old friend with whom he once worked in Paris. Dr. Reddington will be playing piano on Saturday night, as will fellow Conservatory faculty member and jazz pianist Mr. Vic Glazer.

Prior to coming to Bermuda Mr. Levasseur premiered in the lead role of a new chamber opera whose dramatic story line allowed him to exert a side of his personality not normally expressed.

"I have a lot of contrasts in my personality,'' he says with a mysterious smile.

A self-confessed perfectionist who leads a disciplined life in all of its spheres, Mr. Levasseur is also an avid body-builder.

Singing, however, remains his passion.

"I sing because I need to sing,'' he says.

For further information on the Alliance fran uaise des Bermudes soire me at La Coquille restaurant (tickets $100 including cocktails and dinner) telephone Communications Volunteer Sue Johnston at 238-4153.