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by Adrian Rodriguez; based on an interview by Justin Bernard
A festive spirit is once again blowing through Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal (SMAM). After several years without touring, SMAM is hitting the road again. Five cities, five collaborations and one common thread: creating a genuine connection between professionals, the next generation and the public.
“In every city we visit, a local choir joins us. In Ottawa, it’s Christ Church Cathedral Choir conducted by Andrew McAnerney; in Chicoutimi, the Ecce Novum and Conservatoire du Saguenay choirs; in Trois-Rivières, L’Orphéon; and in Quebec City, the Le Chœur de l’Université Laval,” explains Jonathan Nemtanu, SMAM’s executive director.
“This gives our students the opportunity to discover a different repertoire and sing alongside professionals. It’s a deeply formative experience,” says Jessica Latouche, choral lecturer at Université Laval’s Faculty of Music.
This desire to connect and pass on knowledge is at the heart of the project. “What matters most to us is the sense of community that emerges during the concert,” says Nemtanu. “When regional choirs participate, everything takes on a whole new dimension. The audience comes to see their loved ones, and the atmosphere immediately becomes warmer.”
Photo: Annie Éthier
Thanks to SMAM’s 50th anniversary fundraising campaign and the support of Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the ensemble is approaching this tour with confidence. “These two sources of support combined allow us to go forward with confidence, simply to make beautiful music,” says Nemtanu.
Under McAnerney’s direction, the program celebrates the tradition of German Christmas music, from Heinrich Bach to Gruber and Schütz. In Montreal, 12 singers will be accompanied by a small brass ensemble and an organ. On tour, the group will be reduced to eight singers, with concerts in Ottawa and Quebec City, also featuring organ. “The brass instruments bring a festive spirit that is typical of the period and very representative of the era,” adds Nemtanu.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, the audience will be invited to sing along. “Some of the tunes will be familiar, such as Mon beau sapin. It’s part of the spirit of the concert and creates a real moment of shared joy.”
Translation: L. I. Liganor
SMAM’s Noëls éternels tour takes it to Chicoutimi (Nov. 28, Église Sacré-Cœur, 244 Rue Bossé); Trois-Rivières (Nov. 29, Chapelle du Séminaire Saint-Joseph, 858 Rue Laviolette); Montreal (Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., Église Saint-Léon de Westmount, 4311 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West); Ottawa (Dec. 6, Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks St.); and Quebec City (Dec. 14, Salle Henri-Gagnon at Laval University, 1055 Avenue du Séminaire). www.smamontreal.ca
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
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