NEWS

Key events to celebrate the Festival's 40th anniversary


Lamèque, N. B., Thursday, February 5, 2015: The Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival unveiled today the major events that will be presented from July 23 to July 25, 2015, to celebrate its 40th anniversary as well as the names of some of the artists that will be present in Lamèque. 

Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition

According to the chairman of the Festival Board of Directors, Jean-René Noël, the Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition, which was presented for the first time in 2010, aims to encourage emerging and new talent in the field of early music while honoring the pioneering work of Mathieu Duguay, founder of the Festival. “We are very happy to present this competition for the second time.  I would like to point out that our competition is the only one exclusively dedicated to early music in Canada” he said.  “The competition will launch the celebrations of the Festival’s 40th anniversary.  Three young finalists, who have been previously selected, will be in Lamèque and will have the chance to interpret baroque concertos accompanied by the Mission Saint-Charles Orchestra.” A five-person jury will award the prizes while music lovers present will have the opportunity to vote for the “Audience Award”.  

Mrs. Aldéa Landry, honorary president

In addition, the Festival chairman was pleased to announce that the 40th anniversary celebrations will be under the patronage of Mrs. Aldéa Landry, well-known lawyer and business woman in Atlantic Canada.  “We are both honored and privileged that Mrs. Landry has agreed to publicly support our Festival and help us showcase our unique cultural event in New Brunswick and abroad” continued Noël. 

Visual signature by Herménégilde Chiasson

The Festival also announced a partnership with well-known Acadian artist Herménégile Chiasson. He will create an exclusive work that will become the visual signature of the 40th anniversary and used to create the Festival’s poster, pursuing the tradition of the event to unite music and visual arts.  

Main headliners and Handel’s Messiah

The artistic director of the Festival, Vincent Lauzer, is working on a program that will be both bold and exciting for the audience.  “Although all the details are not finalized yet, I am able to confirm the presence of soprano Suzie Leblanc and bass-baritone Dion Mazerolle.  I am delighted that these two Acadian artists will be part of the celebrations this summer.  Harpsichordist and long-time friend of the Festival, Luc Beauséjour, will also be present” said the chairman.  Furthermore, the organizers announced the presentation of Handel’s famous oratorio The Messiah, a first for the Festival.  “This will be our closing concert, with full orchestra, large choir and soloists.  This will be a great way to celebrate our 40th anniversary and at the same time mark the 30th anniversary of the Mission Saint-Charles Choir. This concert will be under the direction of Ivars Taurins, renowned conductor from Toronto, who notably founded the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir” concluded Noël. 

The 40th season of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival will be presented from July 23 – 25, 2015.  Details of the program will be announced in March and tickets will be on sale at that time.