NEWS
Launch of 2014 Festival program
Official launch of the 2014 Festival program
Many exceptional musicians back in Lamèque for the 39th season
Lamèque, NB, May 6, 2014: The Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival officially launched the program of its 39th season this morning and unveiled the details of the three concerts that will be presented between July 24 – 26, 2014 at the Sainte-Cécile Church in Petite-Rivière-de-l’Île.
A little more than 20 musicians will take part in the Festival this year to present music from 4 of the greatest musicians of the baroque era, namely Bach, Vivaldi, Handel and Rameau. According to the chairman of the Board of Directors, Jean-René Noël, what is special this year is the return of longstanding partners of the Festival. “I am happy to announce the return of many exceptional musicians in Acadie, of whom flutist Claire Guimond, violinist Chantal Rémillard, and harpsichordist Hank Knox. The 2014 program was developed by the Festival artistic director, bassoonist Mathieu Lussier, who will also be conducting the grand concert featuring the Festival’s choir and orchestra.
“At the heart of music” with the works of great composers
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the death of Jean-Philippe Rameau, master of French baroque music, and show-off the Festival’s magnificent harpsichord, the opening concert of Thursday, July 24, 2014 will present musicians from Arion Orchestre Baroque, of whom flutist Claire Guimond, former artistic director of the Festival, violinist Chantal Rémillard, member of the Festival’s orchestra for many years, and harpsichordist Hank Knox, long-time friend of the Festival. Mr. Knox will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 and Chromatic fantasia and fugue, two works written for a harpsichord similar to the one owned by the Festival. “It will be a wonderful evening to celebrate the return of these musicians” said the chairman.
The concert presented on Friday, July 25, 2014, will feature the ensemble Flûte Alors!, Canada’s only professional recorder quartet. This dynamic and versatile group is comprised of 4 young musicians part of the rising generation (of whom Vincent Lauzer, first winner of the Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition in 2010). The concert program presents an intelligent combination of several masterworks by the great Bach and well-known jazz standards everyone will enjoy. The group will also present a few arrangements of their own,
For the closing concert of Saturday, July 26, 2014, the Mission Saint-Charles Choir and Orchestra will present two of G. F. Handel’s choral masterworks: the brilliant Dixit Dominus, written as a tribute to Vivaldi’s music, and Let thy hand be strengthened, one of the Coronation Anthems. Also on the program, a powerful work not presented often in concert, the Miserere by Bohemian composer J. D. Zelenka, as well as a beautiful motet by Vivaldi, In Furore lustissimae Ira, sung by soprano Florie Valiquette, a rising star of the Canadian opera scene. Also present, will be the Acadian bass singer Normand Richard. Radio-Canada will be present to record the concert for further broadcasting across Canada.
The chairman also announced the participation of Lamèque-born artistic painter Nicole Haché to the Festival. Many of her paintings will be on display in the church during the concerts. “We are very happy with this partnership which allows uniting music and visual arts in a festive summer celebration” concluded Noël.
The launch of the 2014 edition took place at the Lamèque Town Hall. Details of all concert programs are available on the newly redesigned Festival Web Site at: www.festivalbaroque.com. Concert tickets are available for purchase.
