NEWS

Official launch of the 2013 edition of the Festival - A 38th season presenting well-established musicians and rising performers


Lamèque, NB, May 17, 2013: The Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival officially launched the program of its 38th season this morning and unveiled the details of the three concerts that will be presented between July 25 – 27, 2013 at the Sainte-Cécile Church in Petite-Rivière-de-l’Île. 

“Baroque, still!” is this year’s theme and celebrates the festival’s longevity as well as the continued support of the community and the commitment of the festival organizers to pursue the baroque adventure in New Brunswick, despite recent challenges. According to the president of the Festival Board of Directors, Jean-René Noël, this 38th season will present well-established musicians as well as rising young performers of the Canadian baroque music scene. “We are happy to release the details of our program and we invite all music lovers to attend our concerts in great numbers” he stated. 

The opening concert of Thursday, July 25th, will be a historical event with the inauguration of a new harpsichord, especially built for the Festival and purchased thanks to the efforts of a group of dedicated volunteers, led by the founder of the Festival, Mathieu Duguay. Affectionately called the “Bach harpsichord”, this new instrument, built by Yves Beaupré, is copied after a 1719 German harpsichord played by Bach himself. Luc Beauséjour, renowned harpsichordist and long-time friend of the Festival, has been invited to showcase the beautiful sounds and the versatility of this harpsichord. “Without any doubts, this concert will be one of the highlights of this summer’s program” said Jean-René Noël. 

The concert of Friday, July 26th, will be dedicated to 18th century instrumental and vocal Italian music performed by Ensemble “Les Songes”. The group is comprised of young talented musicians, with harpsichordist Mélisande McNabney who was among the finalists of the Mathieu Duguay Ancient Music Competition in 2010. Entitled “Agitata!”, the colorful program will carry all those in attendance from stormy winds to gentle breezes with music by Vivaldi, Handel, Corelli and Scarlatti. 

To end the festival on a high note, the Mission Saint-Charles Choir, under the direction of Pierre Lavoie, will present a concert dedicated to sacred choral music on Saturday, July 27th. Entitled “Praise the Eternal!”, the program will feature some of the masterworks of the baroque era, including two motets by the great Johann Sebastian Bach. 

The launch of the 2013 edition took place at the Lamèque Town Hall. Details of all concert programs are available on the Festival Web Site at: www.festivalbaroque.com. Concert tickets are available for purchase.