Happy Birthdays
A happy decade…
It was ten years ago...Exactly ten years. The Rencontres Musicales de Vézelay were born under the auspices of J.S.Bach whose 250th anniversary was being celebrated the world over. They were the beginning of a happy decade in the course of which famous artistes and ensembles came in company of Arsys Bourgogne to celebrate the splendours of Euterpe, at the foot of the Vézelay hill, under the age-old vaults of the Saint Madeleine basilica who this year is celebrating its 30 years as a listed UNESCO Word Heritage site.
… celebrated with enthusiasm
With much harmony, from the 20th to 23rd August, it will be a real pleasure to celebrate in your company this happy decade, under the auspices of another illustrious composer, G.F. Handel.....Without a doubt, there will not be one of his pieces of music which is not performed this year by some vocal or instrumental ensemble to commemorate here too the anniversary of his death.
… and with passion
Homer already put along side Eris and Eros, discordance and love. With Handel, it is the marvelous musical language of emotions which goes beyond and magnifies once more, this (false?) paradox.
And with what genius ! That of absolute musical science mingled with an inborn sense of the theatre. We will be proposing you to hear it during these Rencontres Musicales 2009 with some extraordinary oratorios : the youthful Resurrezione, the sensuous Theodora, or by listening to the immense choral epic in the monumental Israel in Egypt. Don’t hesitate to come and perceive the proud echoes of these warlike and amorous passions sung by the pure voice of Dorothée Mields or through to the prestigious Gothic Voices ensemble, who excel in rendering these moving mediaeval works dedicated to Marian love.
… toward "the undefined spaces of the future !"
Based on the success of this first decade – which started in Vézelay and now attains equal and full success in Europe’s main cities - Arsys Bourgogne will have a choice position in these Rencontres. Its singers will shine in the performance of the virtuoso Israel in Egypt “the oratorio with 28 choruses”. They will have the honour to symbolically open these sumptuous days, conducted by ten young leaders full of talent and with a bright future ahead of them.
All over the hill, from the Place des Rencontres to the picturesque streets, which will be specially animated with music, these celebrations will be full of festivity…
I am this year, especially proud and happy to share these moments with you !
Happy birthday to the Rencontres Musicales,
and Happy birthday to Arsys Bourgogne !
Pierre CAO |
 |
Pierre Cao
Photo: Sébastien Boulard
© 2004 |
|
