Five years ago, a group of musicians founded the association “Musique Cordiale”. It was in the village of Seillans, labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France, that the association decided to create an event bearing its name: the “Musique Cordiale” Festival.
Program:
On August 6, the eve of the festival’s opening in Seillans, an exceptional concert will take place at 7 pm, under the direction of Graham Ross, an English composer and conductor. The performance will be held in the Seillans church. Soloists from the performances of “The Marriage of Figaro” will interpret Baroque Arias by Lully, Bach, or Handel.
The official launch of the festival will occur with Handel’s “Giustino,” during the opening concert on Friday, August 7. Under the direction of conductor Tom Seligman, the Seillans church will come alive with a chamber orchestra and a few soloists. At 7 pm, they will perform a “Concerto for 2 Violins” by Bach, “Pavane” by Faurรฉ, and Symphony No. 89 by Haydn.
On Sunday, August 9, and Tuesday, August 11 at 9 pm, two full performances of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” will take place at the Place du Valat in Seillans. The show, staged by Andrew Staples (tenor), will be conducted by Graham Ross.
On Monday, August 10, at 7 pm, the festival will change settings and atmospheres, heading to the Magnanerie. Classic will give way to Jazz at “Classic Meets Jazz.” The magic of Michel Tirabosco’s pan flute will transport the audience from the classical world of Weil, Bowling, and Piazzolla to the sound of Jazz. Katy Christie will lead the second part with her surprising voice. She will perform jazz tunes, accompanied by Jean-Marie Reboul (pianist), Adam Bishop (tenor), Tristan Fry (cymbals), Dave Brown (double bass), and a string quartet.
“Musique Cordiale” will also give a concert at the church of Bagnols-en-Forรชt on Wednesday, August 12 at 7 pm. Under the direction of Tom Seligman, the musicians of the association will perform a piece by Haydn for choir and orchestra, as well as Faurรฉ’s “Pavane” and “Four motets for a time of penance” by Poulenc. The evening’s program will conclude with Mozart’s “Requiem.”
On Thursday, August 13 at 7 pm, a Cry of the Choir will resonate within the church of Bargemon. The Choir, singing a capella, will perform works by Charpentier, Bach, etc. This will be followed by a “Concerto for 2 Violins” and the Cantata “Jauchzet Gott” by Bach. The concert will be conducted by Tom Seligman. Violinists Laura Dixon and Stephen Payne and soprano Rosie Bell will be the soloists.
The closing concert will take place at the Seillans church on Friday, August 14 at 7 pm. After the performance of a piece by Haydn, Michel Tirabosco will play his own arrangement for pan flute. However, it is Mozart who will bring an end to the “Musique Cordiale” Festival 2009 with his famous “Requiem”.
