The professional singing ensemble Macadam and the amateur choir Aria Voce collaborate regularly. To end this season, they will sing a program dedicated to the Camino de Santiago, under the direction of Étienne Ferchaud. “I wanted to sing Joby Talbot’s work, The path of miracles, explains the choirmaster. I imagined a collection of contemporary European works from the Camino de Santiago at its peak. »
A geographical program
The show starts from the different countries of Europe, where the Camino de Santiago begins and passes. Étienne Ferchaud chooses a work representative of an era for each country. “We start in Italy, with To pity Allegri’s, starting from its original version and ending with Mozart’s, with the famous high Cs. Tallis represents England, Mouton, France, Hassler, Germany, Victoria, Spain”, says Étienne Ferchaud.
Between the different pieces, the singers perform excerpts from the Codex, dedicated to the pilgrimage of the Way of Saint James during the medieval period. “We travel the path in music, with all the great works of Europe at this time, explains the choirmaster. Medieval music recalls the sources of this pilgrimage. We arrive at our destination with the contemporary piece by Joby Talbot, Santiago. »
Walker experience
Each choir sings alone, then the two come together for certain pieces. “We experience the walker with the impression of leaving, of trudging and arriving after days of walking, image Etienne Ferchaud. There is a very cinematic side to the unfolding of the pieces, with repetitive, breaking or more contemplative moments. We experience the physical effort in the pieces that are difficult from a rhythmic point of view. After the effort comes calming, then relaxation.
Wednesday July 3at 9 p.m., at the Saint-Nicolas Basilica, 5, rue Affre, in Nantes, from €13 to €16, www.macadamensemble.com.
