Classical: Cully and Évian, havens of music

The first meeting of the summer, the Lavaux Classic saw a remarkable 21^e edition, with attendance up compared to 2023, despite the contrasting weather. Guillaume Hersperger, the artistic director, said he was delighted with the success of the OFF festival and the baroque music concerts, with big names such as William Christie, Théotime Langlois de Swarte, Mario Brunello.

Having started in the sweltering heat of June 20th at the Octogone in Pully with the piano recital of Arcadi Volodos where you could hear the flies flying, the event ended coolly on Sunday June 30th with Beatrice Berrut at the Salle Davel in Cully instead of the Scène du Lac. Of the three concerts planned “at the water’s edge” (this was the key word of the festival), that of the Espuma Antigua ensemble on Friday 28th brought its crossover-baroque touch, led by the voice of Flora Ageron, to the sunset and the sound of birds. Unfortunately, the only concert on this arrangement due to the unfavorable weather and its storm warning.

At the Cully temple, Sunday June 30 afternoon, violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte unleashed veritable storms of sixteenth notes, imitating the storms of “L’été” from “Quatre Saisons” with his resourceful colleagues from the Consort. Striking contrast just after a sublime aria from the opera “Farnace” inspired by “Winter” by the same Vivaldi. Soprano Gwendoline Blondeel replaced at short notice the ailing mezzo Adèle Charvet. The Belgian singer melted the audience into hits by Handel, after having crafted melancholy and sanguine French tunes by Francoeur and Montgaultier.

The setting for musical meetings

On the French shore of Lake Geneva, the Évian Musical Meetings began on June 26. One of the highlights of the 2024 edition was the recital given on Sunday evening June 30 by Sonya Yoncheva. The Bulgarian soprano trained in Geneva is today one of the undisputed queens of the opera world. The first part of the program gave pride of place to discoveries, with little-played melodies by Puccini and Verdi, two composers known mainly for their operas. The second part was punctuated by famous arias from Puccini’s operas, the 100th of which is being celebrated this year.^e anniversary of death. Sonya Yoncheva seduced the audience with her broad and luscious voice, her expressiveness and her art of nuances, not to mention her stage charisma. His complicity with his pianist, Malcolm Martineau, was a pleasure to see.

The demonstration continues until July 6. The program is captivating, especially since Renaud Capuçon took over the artistic reins. This Tuesday evening, July 2, pianist Bertrand Chamayou should spark. Then we will remember a tribute to Daniel Barenboim on the 3rd, with Renaud Capuçon on violin, Edgar Moreau on cello and Martha Argerich on piano. The famous chef and pianist should have been present, but health concerns prevented him from making the trip. On the 4th, the new darling of the baton, Klaus Mäkelä, will conduct the Orchester de Paris, of which he is the musical director. On the 5th, music lovers will be able to applaud the rising keyboard star, Alexandra Dovgan. Most concerts take place at La Grange au Lac, an all-wooden venue, nestled in a splendid park overlooking Lake Geneva and dotted with century-old trees. A second hall is currently under construction, which should host its first concerts in December 2025.

Matthew Chenal has been a journalist in the cultural section since 1996. He particularly reports on the abundant news of classical music in the canton of Vaud and French-speaking Switzerland.More informations

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments