For Jean Claude Guibal, the deputy mayor of Menton: “While climbing the steps leading from the old port to the forecourt of the Basilica of Saint Michael on this hot day of August 12, 1949, André Böröcz had no idea he would encounter the perfect alchemy between the temporal and the spiritual, which is the quest of noble souls.”
Thus, this festival was born from the determination of a passionate individual and especially by the miracle of the Basilica of Saint Michael’s forecourt, which proved to have exceptional acoustics. A venue where stars shine on stage and in the skies. The Menton Music Festival takes place under the guidance of a new director and new conductor, with a new concept.
As Mr. Jean Claude Guibal, deputy mayor of the lemon capital, highlighted in his speech, the festival will benefit this year from two iconic venues. There will always be the forecourt of the Basilica of Saint Michael, a venue with a starry ceiling, and for young talents, the Cocteau Museum, extending an open hand to the city.
Two openings, two visions. Paul Emmanuel Thomas will draw many comparisons and metaphors while presenting a rich and copious program. The osmosis between the musician, their instrument, and the orchestra is like the composition of a dish, everything must combine perfectly. The festival would thus be as the great cuisine, starred.
This director is a poet, a magician of words, and listening to him, one already envisions the notes rising on those summer evenings, where orchestras will charm and hypnotize the audience. The setting lends itself, this illuminated forecourt with ochre facades and in the distance blinking on the horizon, the lights of Italy.
The program is very varied. From a creation by Fazil Say for soprano, strings, and percussion based on texts by Goethe to a surprising duo between harp and a soprano, the audience will be able to satisfy their passion for lyrical art.
Repetitive music—let’s not misunderstand the meaning of this word: “Look at the sky and the course of the clouds, their movements and their variations.” will have its moments of glory.
Then the focus turns to a Mediterranean country, this year Spain. The closing concert will be imbued not with sadness, but with the anticipation of the next edition. The forecourt is the venue for recognized artists.
The Cocteau Museum, where concerts take place earlier at 6 PM, is reserved for young talents, musicians yet unknown in France, and personal favorites. Tomorrow, perhaps, these musicians will achieve fame and find themselves on the forecourt.
Edgar Moreau is certainly a glory of tomorrow. He gave us a glimpse of his talent during the festival presentation. It was a moment of intense emotion listening to this young soloist make his cello sing while interpreting Bach. He was at one with his instrument, in complete osmosis, the score became unnecessary. He was the music, and the music was him.
The festival would not be complete without its Off. Concerts will thus be relocated to the Palmero esplanade and the United States square: “If you do not come to the music, the music will come to you.”
The Menton Music Festival…From August 1st to 15th, Menton will vibrate to the sound of scales and arpeggios. This, like every summer, when evening stretches its coat under a star-studded sky, but let’s listen to the music.
Thierry Jan
