Our 39th Season? BANG!
As you will notice, each aria of activity is providing audiences with a captivating array of performances. With more than 75 events planned for audiences in Montreal, Paris, Ottawa, Toronto and the regions, there are bound to be some fireworks!
Artistic pyrotechnics rarely arise out of thin air! And space does not permit me to thank all of the composers, musicians, artists, soloists, ensembles, and companies who will be part of the 2005 MNM Festival and our other series. However, I would like to acknowledge some of our extraordinary partners, including McGill University’s Faculty of Music, Radio-Canada, the CBC’s Radio Two, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the NAC Orchestra, and in particular, Radio-France’s “Présences” festival. A new venture at Centre Pierre-Péladeau’s, Musiques en Apéro, will allow audiences to experience music alongside Dionysian pleasure.
Take a moment to learn about the brilliant, eclectic, often downright combustible concerts in the Montreal Series. We will open “In Extremis”, with the presentation of the Prix Québec-Flandre, move to the inward and mystical in December, jump start the SMCQ’s Groupe Rapide d’Interventions Musicales (GRIM) with a cabaret in January, take a three-way pilgrimage with a divine pianist in April, and witness a rendez-vous for eight saxophones in May. In between—pure, seductive, magical exoticism for our MNM Festival concert in March, an event that will soon bring us together for an exciting launch.
Through it all, we expect sparks to fly from the energy, colour and rhythm of the SMCQ Jeunesse, with two events touring Montreal and the regions. It’s a chance to hear, or re-hear, the “classic” Le Piano Muet, and see the ever percussive Tapajungle!
Ultimately, the pleasure of discovering the many hidden treasures in this year’s programming is yours for the taking. An explosive 39th season? Absolutely! And we’re counting on you to help light the fire.
Walter Boudreau
September 33rd, 2004