Monday, December 01, 2008

Horizon Stage Adds an Incredible Baroque Ensemble to its 2009 Lineup

Les Boréades de Montréal will perform magnificent music on period instruments January 19th

Early music ensemble Les Boréades de Montréal keeps the spirit and sound of the 17th and18th centuries alive by adhering to the rules of performance practices of the past and by playing on period instruments. Critics and audiences in Canada and abroad have been unanimous in hailing the group’s energy and spontaneity as well as their theatrical, expressive and elegant playing and their unique flair for Baroque aesthetics. Now Horizon Stage is thrilled to add Les Boréades to its 2009 season of artists on Monday, January 19th at 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1991, Les Boréades have toured extensively in Canada. They have taken part in many renowned festivals and have performed abroad in New York, Amsterdam, Paris and Germany. The ensemble boasts fifteen recordings on the Atma Classique label featuring such renowned artists Hervé Niquet, Skip Sempé, Manfredo Kraemer, Alex Weimann, Eric Milnes and Karina Gauvin.

The members of Les Boréades performing in Spruce Grove will be Francis Colpron on traverso and recorders, Hélène Plouffe on violin, Erin Milnes on harpsichord and Mélisande Corriveau on cello and viola da gamba. Their concert will showcase the music of Jean-Fery Rebel (1666-1747), François Couperin (1668-1733), Henry Purcell (1659-1695), Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) and six other Baroque era composers.

Take a step back in time and get Up Close and Personal with Les Boréades de Montréal at Horizon Stage on Monday January 19th. Tickets to this extraordinary concert are just $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and can be purchased in person at the Horizon Stage Box Office in Spruce Grove’s City Hall at 315 Jespersen Avenue, by calling 780-962-8995, or at any Ticketmaster location.

“Les Boréades quartet (is) simply ravishing… the splendid improvisatory virtuosity of Francis Colpron on recorders, his rapid-fire staccato notes, his roulades and embellishments as free and as fascinating as the flames in a fireplace, made the heart leap in unbuttoned endorsement.”
Halifax Herald

“They would be irresistible even if they were not top-notch instrumental virtuosi. But they are. And more. Together they play with the kind of freedom with the style you would expect from a soloist. They are effortless, relaxed and cultivated to such a degree of perfection each is a flowering branch on the same tree.”
The Vancouver Sun

“The concert was a musical high from the beginning to end.”
Toronto Star

http://www.boreades.com/