Discover our new season
PAVANES LACRIMAE, DANCES & MADRIGALS – JOHN DOWLAND (1563 – 1626)
On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of the English composer John Dowland, L’Harmonie des saisons presents a concert devoted to the work of this great master of the Renaissance.
The program features the celebrated Lachrimae Pavans for five viols and lute, complemented by dances and madrigals. Four singers, five viols, lute, and virginal combine to create a sound world of remarkable richness.
For this concert, L’Harmonie des saisons joins forces with the renowned viol consort Les Voix humaines, Norwegian lutenist Jadran Duncum, and harpsichordist Olivier Fortin (Ensemble Masques, France). The madrigals will be performed by the distinguished English tenor Charles Daniels, alongside emerging talents from the Quebec music scene: Janelle Lucyk, Nicholas Burns, and William Kraushaar.
Les artistes du Consort de violes Les Voix humaines :
Mélisande Corriveau (treble viol)
Felix Deak (alto viol)
Olivier Brault (tenor viol)
Thomas Baeté (tenor viol – Belgium)
Susie Napper (bass viol)
- Saturday, June 20 – 2:00 p.m.
Abbaye de Saint-Benoit-du-Lac, QC
SLEEPS & DREAMS OF THE NIGHT
Sleep scenes occupy an important place in Baroque music, particularly in the French tragédie lyrique. More than a simple poetic device, they suspend the action and open a space for dreams, illusion, and the supernatural, where music becomes a true dramatic force.
In the works of Lully, such as Atys or Persée, these moments create an atmosphere of calm and suspension. This tradition continues with Desmarest, Campra, and Marin Marais, whose Symphonie pour le sommeil from Alcyone exemplifies the gentle, enveloping orchestral writing characteristic of these scenes.
With Couperin, Rameau, and Vivaldi, sleep becomes more symbolic and instrumental, evoking reverie, memory, and the uncertain states between wakefulness and dreaming.
L’Harmonie des saisons joins forces with Ensemble Masques (Olivier Fortin, France) to invite you on a wonderful musical journey into the heart of Baroque nights.
Philippe Gagné, tenor
William Kraushaar, bass
Anne Thivierge, Joanna Marsden — traversos
Julia Wedman, Jessy Dubé — violins
Cristina Prats-Costa — viola
Mélisande Corriveau — cello & viola da gamba
Pierre Cartier — double bass
Olivier Fortin — organ, harpsichord & direction
- Saturday, August 15, 2:00 p.m.
St. Elizabeth’s Church, North Hatley, J0B 2C0 - Saturday, August 15, 8:00 p.m.
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, G1R 4L6
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Founded by director duo Mélisande Corriveau and Eric Milnes, L’Harmonie des saisons, vocal and instrumental ensemble with international guest artists, moves audiences here and abroad with its unique approach to early music. The period-instrument ensemble has given over 150 concerts in Quebec, Canada and abroad. Its recordings on the ATMA Classique label have garnered critical acclaim and honors, including two JUNO Awards, two Opus Award, Radio-Canada Record of the Year, CBC Top 10, and a place in Apple Music’s Top 10 Classical Albums.