NEWS
Only three weeks before the start of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival
Only three weeks before the start of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival
Lamèque, N.-B., Thursday July 3, 2025: The 49th season of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival, under the theme "The Nations", kicks off in only three weeks. This grand celebration of early music will bring together some forty artists and will be held from July 24 to 26, 2025. The Festival team is proud to invite music lovers to attend six major concerts, the two rounds of the Mathieu Duguay Early Music competition, as well as two activities presented on Wednesday, July 23, as a prelude to the Festival.
A FREE ACTIVITY ADDED TO THE PROGRAM
"A Renaissance Celebration"
Wednesday, July 23, 7 p.m., Notre-Dame-des-flots Church (basement), Lamèque
A Renaissance dance evening will be presented as a prelude to the Festival, on Wednesday, July 23, at 7 p.m. This activity, led by dancer and musician Dorothéa Ventura, will offer the opportunity to dance pavanes and branles, just like in the 16th century! No experience is required; all you need is good shoes and a bit of enthusiasm! Come dance and have a drink (cash bar) with friends!
AN EVENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
« La Révolte des anciens » (in French)
Wednesday, July 23, 2 p.m., Hangar, Carrefour COOP, Lamèque
A project of Arion Orchestre Baroque, « La Révolte des anciens » presents the dramatic changes that happened in the musical landscape at the turn of the 17th century. This concert is a testament to the rebellious side of the Italian geniuses of the early Baroque period—a trait shared by the musicians who perform their music today!
EVENING CONCERTS
These concerts will feature works by leading composers of the Baroque era, Georg Philipp Telemann and Johann Sebastian Bach from Germany, as well as Spanish composers of the 17th and 18th centuries.
“Telemann: Alla Polacca”
Thursday, July 24, 7:30 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
Georg Philipp Telemann is one of the most prolific composers of the Baroque period. A great traveller, he wrote in the French and Italian styles but also drew inspiration from Polish folk songs and dances. 10 musicians under the leadership of violinist Olivier Brault will present a number of Telemann’s dances, suites and concertos that have a distinct Polish influence.
“Spanish Follias”
Friday, July 25, 7:30 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
An exploration of Spanish chaconas, a vocal and instrumental program based on this fascinating dance and musical form! This concert, presented by Montreal ensemble Les Idées heureuses, will include a variety of touching, surprising, energetic works by composers such as Andrea Falconieri, Diego Ortiz and Bartolomé de Selma y Salaverde, all performed by renowned experts in the repertoire.
“Bach: Voices of Hope”
Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
Motets and cantatas by the great Johann Sebastian Bach with soloists Denise Torre Ormeño (soprano) and Antonio Figueroa (tenor), the Mission Saint-Charles Choir under the direction of Pierre Lavoie, and the Mission Saint-Charles Orchestra conducted by harpsichordist and organist Mark Edwards.
THE SIXTH EDITION OF THE MATHIEU DUGUAY EARLY MUSIC COMPETITION
The Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition will be presented for the sixth time this year. The three finalists, selected from nearly forty international applications, will share more than $10,000 in prizes:
Nicholas Burns, countertenor (Canada)
Eleanor Legault, violin (États-Unis)
Janelle Lucyk, soprano (Canada)
These young talents will be heard during the two rounds of the Competition:
"Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition - Finalists' Recital”
Thursday, July 24, 2 p.m., Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Church, Miscou
"Mathieu-Duguay Early Music Competition - Final round”
Friday, July 25, 3 p.m., Sainte-Cécile Church, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île
INTIMATE CONCERTS THAT TAKE YOU ON A JOURNEY
The Festival will also present three intimate concerts that will take us on a journey to England, France and Iran.
“A Harpsichord in London”
Friday, July 25, 11 a.m., Saint-Raphaël Church, Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël
Harpsichordist Mark Edwards explores works by Georg Friedrich Handel, transcriptions and virtuosic variations on a number of Handel’s operatic airs by English Baroque composer William Babell as well as works written by Bach and Dieupart, Handel’s contemporaries that had ties to England.
“The Nations”
Saturday, July 26, 11 a.m., Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Church, Miscou
An instrumental quartet from Les Idées heureuses plays four suites titled “Les Nations” that François Couperin wrote in homage to the different European nations: France, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and Italy.
“Remembrances”
Saturday, July 26, 3 p.m., Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Church, Miscou
A concert based on rhythmic cycles (Osul) taken from a manuscript written by Amir Khan Gorgi to the King of Iran during the Safavid period, in 1696. The rhythmic cycles were very common during this period, and many composers wrote melodies for them. Ziya Tabassian will present a number of his melodies based on the Osul rhythms, melodies that evoke distant memories.
The 49th season of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival will take place from July 24 to 26, 2025. Tickets are on sale at www.festivalbaroque.com and at the Festival office (506-344-3261).