NEWS
Launch of the 2024 Program
Launch of the 2024 Program
“Four Seasons”: 48th Season of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival
Lamèque, N.B., Wednesday, April 17, 2024: The Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival is proud to present the program for its 48th season. The program includes eight events full of surprising discoveries and powerful emotions that will provide opportunities for music lovers to meet other people and share their common passion for early music. All the concert details are available on the Festival website: www.festivalbaroque.com
UNI FINANCIAL COOPERATION, OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE 2024 SEASON
At the launch, the Festival was proud to announce a significant financial contribution of $10,000 from UNI Financial Cooperation, which thus becomes "Official Partner" of the 2024 edition. According to Jean-René Noël, Chairman of the Board of Directors, this is excellent news. "We are proud and honoured to announce our partnership with UNI Financial Cooperation, one of our most important Acadian institutions," he said.
"UNI's contribution to the Festival has taken many forms over the years. Choosing UNI also means choosing to invest in our communities. We are pleased to support this event, which is an essential element of the cultural vitality of our beautiful part of the country!" says Camille Thériault, President and CEO of UNI Financial Cooperation.
“FOUR SEASONS”
From July 25 to 27, music lovers are invited to take part in a Festival built around the four seasons, which provide the ever-changing backdrop of our lives and inspired numerous artists from the Baroque era. This year’s program features Italian, Scottish, and French music, along with parodies of Baroque works, new works, and Acadian poetry.
EVENING CONCERTS
These concerts will feature Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – an essential classic – as well as works by Boismortier, Corrette, Chédeville, and Maute which are worth discovering.
“Four Seasons: Yesterday and Tomorrow”
Thursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
The four seasons in the time of climate change: Antonio Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons, performed by Montreal ensemble Pallade Musica, The Four Seasons and a Melting Iceberg, a work for solo recorder by Québec composer Matthias Maute, and a series of new texts written for this special event by Acadian authors: Pierre-André Doucet, Emma Haché, Dyane Léger and Jonathan Roy.
“Four seasons in the eyes of Boismortier”
Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
A concert featuring Boismortier’s cantatas inspired by the seasons, taking on different themes for different parts of the year with young singers at the peak of their art: soprano Andréanne Brisson Paquin, tenor Kerry Bursey and bass William Kraushaar.
“French Seasons”
Saturday, July 27, 7:30 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
This concert will present works by French composers who parodied and sometimes even shamelessly copied the music of Vivaldi! With the Mission Saint-Charles Choir and Orchestra conducted by Hank Knox and Tobie Miller on hurdy gurdy.
TWO INTIMATE CONCERTS AT MISCOU CHURCH
The Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Church is renowned for its exceptional acoustics. The Festival is proud to present two intimate concerts in this venue that will allow the audience members to make exciting discoveries and have a close contact with the artists on stage.
“Four seasons in the eyes of Oswald”
Thursday July 25, 3:00 p.m., Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Church, Miscou
Ensemble La Cigale will offer a concert showcasing the Airs for the Seasons by Scottish composer James Oswald along with some dances and airs from the Celtic countries, music that warms you up in winter and calls for celebration.
“Four seasons in the eyes of Simpson”
Saturday, July 27, 11:00 a.m., Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Church, Miscou
Chamber music group Pallade Musica presents The Seasons, a collection by Christopher Simpson, an English composer from the 17th century. There’s no better way to start your day.
A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THE MISSION SAINT-CHARLES CHOIR
During the launch, Festival artistic director, recorder player Vincent Lauzer, spoke of the important role played by the Mission Saint-Charles Choir in the development of the event. "Since 1985, the choir has participated in a number of concerts, contributing to the influence and appreciation of Baroque music on the Acadian peninsula." The choir will sing in the Festival closing concert, and has also been entrusted with an afternoon concert, under the direction of conductor Pierre Lavoie, dedicated to the works of Renaissance and early Baroque composers.
“Choral Seasons”
Friday July 26, 3:00 p.m., Saint-Raphaël Church, Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël
PRE-CONCERT LECTURE AND PUBLIC DRESS REHEARSAL
Festival-goers are invited to attend a short conference hosted by artistic director Vincent Lauzer and a public rehearsal for the Saturday evening concert. This is a great opportunity to demystify the work of the artists and to learn more about the hurdy gurdy, an instrument featured during the concert “French Seasons”.
Saturday, July 27, 2:00 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
A PARTICIPATORY EVENT FOR AMATEUR MUSICIANS AS A PRELUDE TO THE FESTIVAL
For the first time this year, amateur musicians who wish to learn more about early music are invited to a special pre-festival event. Vincent Lauzer, the Festival’s artistic director, and Pierre Lavoie, conductor of the Mission Saint-Charles Choir, will lead singers and instrumentalists through a series of early music works and Johann Sebastian Bach's chorales. All are welcome: experienced musicians and novices.
“An introduction to early music”
Wednesday, July 24, 7:00 p.m., Notre-Dame-des-Flots Church, Lamèque
A VISUAL SIGNATURE BY GEORGES GOGUEN
The Festival team was pleased to present the visual signature for the 2024 season. It is a work by Georges Goguen, an Acadian artist from Moncton, in New Brunswick, and a true pioneer for visual art in the province. The chosen work refers to nature and its bright colors and will be featured on all communication tools for the 2024 season. The Festival is proud to contribute to the promotion of works by New Brunswick visual artists since 2015.
For all the details about the program, visit the website at www.festivalbaroque.com. Tickets will be for sale on Thursday, April 18. Packages to attend all concerts as well as packages with accommodation are offered in limited quantities.
