Outstanding 42nd edition
of Festival de Lanaudière

A look back on a year of renewal and discoveries under a new artistic direction

The 42nd season of the Festival de Lanaudière has just come to a close with a breathtaking weekend to crown this memorable edition. “We immediately felt the public’s confidence in this first season entrusted to Renaud Loranger. This paves the way for a bright future,” points out François Bédard, the event’s executive director.

The Festival has rekindled its founder’s original vision: to share classical music with a large public and shine a spotlight on talent from around the world. Powerful pieces, stunning performances, wonderful discoveries, international stars from the world of classical music, several Canadian and Quebec debuts, and a very enthusiastic response from the public. “At the Festival, we breathe, listen to and watch music differently,” expresses Renaud Loranger, artistic director.

The Festival has rekindled its founder’s original vision: to share classical music with a large public and shine a spotlight on talent from around the world.

In his very first season as artistic director, Loranger delivered a rich program packed with exclusive performances, building a special appeal for the Festival. “Over the past several years, in my role at Deutsche Grammophon and now at Pentatone, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work and collaborate with acclaimed artists from Europe, Asia and America,” explains Loranger. “My goal is to offer the people of Lanaudière a broad spectrum from today’s musical scene.”

For its 42nd edition, the Festival de Lanaudière offered you Canadian, American and Dutch ensembles, as well as a tribute to two jazz legends, Philip Glass and William “Count” Basie, a timeless figurehead of the genre in the 20th century, and a piece delivered for the very first time here.

Many artists taking part in the Festival for the very first time were won over by the Amphitheatre’s acoustics which set the scene for a unique experience. Such artists include Michael Spyres, American tenor, the members of the Calefax Dutch reed quintet, the Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi, the South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho, the Dutch brothers Arthur and Lucas Jussen, as well as the great Scottish mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, all of whom have expressed their astonishment toward the Festival and the public’s glowing enthusiasm.

Save the date for next year’s 43rd edition!

The Festival de Lanaudière will work its magic once again for its 43rd season, from July 3 to August 2, 2020.

Images: courtesy of Festival de LanaudièreMore articles on music and concerts