Between the construction of La Chaise-Dieu Abbey by Pope Clement VI. (1343) and the founding of the Abbey centuries passed Symphony No. 5 by Gustav Mahler between 1901 and 1902. But on the evening of August 18, the call of the trumpet (awesome Yohan Chetail!) that opens this Dantesque score rings out with absolute relevance in Saint-Robert Abbey.
Radiant and passionate, the Orchester national d’Île-de-France, under the engaging direction of Case Scaglione, takes the audience on the wings of music. Rich in nuances, the work that hides the famous Adagio by Visconti immortalized in death in Venice will have seemed luminous rather than toxic, “healthier” than consumed by existential angst. But what gentleness in the strings, what panache in the small harmonies, what authority in the brass!
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«It has been fifteen years since Mahler was programmed at La Chaise-Dieusays violinist Boris Blanco, the new general director of the festival founded in 1966 by pianist György Cziffra. In a region where there are few halls that can accommodate large orchestral forces, we play an important role in spreading this repertoire. »
The next day, the same artists bid Symphony No. 1 enchanting Sibelius: deep shadows, contours drawn with drypoint, delicate color chart. So much subtlety to welcome, in striking contrast, powerful phantasmagorias, all imbued with the emotion of nature. They followed that Concert No. 3 by Rachmaninoff, whose pianist Théo Fouchenneret delivered a vision of sober lyricism that preferred elegance to exuberance.
Under a bold sun, tempered by the altitude (1,080 metres), La Chaise-Dieu took on an Italian look this weekend, the sunset flooding the facades with an orange glow. On the main street, dominated by the imposing Southern Gothic-style abbey, restaurants and terrace cafes cater to a large crowd.
“We are very pleased about the strong participation.continues Boris Blanco. Mostly from the surrounding area (Le Puy, Saint-Étienne, even Lyon), but also from more distant regions of France or abroad, the audience attends an average of three to four concerts. »
150 volunteers
A young woman accompanies her elderly father, who “Despite bad rheumatism”, I wouldn’t miss it “For all the gold in the world” his summer date. «I know I will hear great music in an extraordinary setting. And that for almost thirty years…” Father and daughter kindly turn down the program for the 2023 edition – a very carefully edited book they received on arrival – praised and sold by a determined little boy. As a “collaborator” of the festival, he is one of the 150 volunteers of all ages who liven up the event along with the seven members of the permanent team.
«A family has four generations of volunteersadmire Boris Blanco. They are residents of the region or students of the Conservatory and they take care of the accommodation of the public, the transport of the artists, the catering, the technical…»
“Passion according to John”
When their busy schedules allow, they slip into the Abbey Church or the Cziffra Room, dedicated to chamber music, to applaud those whose well-being they care for throughout the day. So, this Saturday, August 19, for the Passion according to John by Bach conducted by John Butt with the Dunedin Consort.
La Chaise-Dieu had a bright idea to broaden the horizons of music lovers by inviting this Scottish ensemble that we rarely hear in France. Four per voice – soprano, alto, tenor and bass – the choristers respond to the soloists who come from their ranks: a practice that enhances the coherence, the eloquence of interpretation in which narrators, actors and commentators of the Passion work so closely standing together related.
Backed by refined instrumentalists – a beautiful flute by Georgia Browne – tenor evangelist Joshua Ellicott lives the drama with all his soul alongside bass Matthew Brook, a noble and moving Christ. When the soldiers draw lots for his tunic after the crucifixion, Bach describes this trivial and shocking scene in a dazzling chorus of poignant cruelty. So much beauty for so much pain.
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32 concerts for every taste
The beginning of a complete Beethoven work by the Consuelo Ensemble conducted by Victor Julien-Laferrière ; a focus on chamber music, but also on the symphonic music of Mendelssohn; great choral pages by Handel or Bach, but also Alfred Schnittke with his astonishment Concerto for Choir… The program of the La Chaise-Dieu festival covers many styles, up to “Bach’s Groove” or “An Evening with the Beatles”…
At the same time, Boris Blanco starts the “Generation Chaise-Dieu” program. open to young talents who will be invited on site to work with “tutor” musicians. During the festival they will also give concerts in the region.
