Dear Friends,

We have recently received notice of this new series which will certainly be of interest to Vocal Arts Society subscribers.

 

THEATRE OF SONG / LE THEATRE DES VOIX

AND LA MAISON FRANÇAISE

PRESENT FRANÇOIS LEROUX

WASHINGTON'S NEWEST VOCAL RECITAL SERIES LAUNCHES INAUGURAL SEASON

ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 AT 8:00 P.M.

WITH WORLD-RENOWNED BARITONE IN "VOYAGE À PARIS" (A TRIP TO PARIS)

ADDITIONAL CONCERTS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 5 & APRIL 14, 2005

La Maison Française, the foremost patron of French culture in the nation's capital, announced today its co-presentation with Theatre of Song/("Le Theatre des Voix") of a new concert series devoted to exploring the rich and varied art of the song recital. The inaugural performance, "Voyage à Paris" (A Trip to Paris)-which will feature leading French baritone François LeRoux in a program of music by Gounod, Faure, Poulenc, Duparc, and Debussy dedicated to the memory of the illustrious French baritone Gérard Souzay-will take place at La Maison Française (4101 Reservoir Road, N.W.) on Wednesday, November 3 at 8:00 p.m.

Two additional programs are also scheduled for the 2004-2005 season: "Women on the Edge" on Saturday, February 5, 2005, will highlight brilliant young sopranos Lyubov Petrova and Christine Antenbring in songs of love and loss by Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninov, and Poulenc, while Grammy-nominated soprano Jennifer Larmore will celebrate with François LeRoux in a gala program on Thursday, April 14, 2005.

The mission of the new series is to preserve the art of the song recital, bringing French melodies, German lieder, and other art songs to audiences with a heightened emphasis upon the theatrical elements of their texts. The series-which will also receive support from the French American Cultural Foundation-will feature extensively researched and specifically themed programs performed by a roster of outstanding artists. It aims to recreate the atmosphere of a musical salon-intimate and imaginative; a stimulating blend of exquisite music and intense dramatic expression.

Theatre of Song /("Le Theatre des Voix") was recently co-founded by Belgian musician Mikhail Hallak and François LeRoux. Mr. Hallak-who serves as Artistic Director and will also be at the piano for each of this season's performances-is a 2003 graduate of the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and a frequent performer with François LeRoux. Mr. Hallak has collaborated with several other distinguished opera and recital artists, including Natalie Dessay, and has served as the official accompanist for master classes with James Levine, Renata Scotto, and Diana Soviero, among others. Recently selected by soprano Jessye Norman as the official accompanist for the 2004 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, Mr. Hallak has also acted as music staff and French coach for over thirty productions at several music festivals and opera companies, including the Spoleto Festival USA, the Santa Fe Opera, the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, the Ashlawn-Highland Music Festival, Virginia Opera, and Opera au Château, Belgique. Mr. LeRoux-considered the finest interpreter of his generation in the role of Pelléas in Debussy's opera Pelléas et Mélisande-has appeared at many of the world's major opera houses, including Paris Opéra, Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), and Teatro alla Scala. Awarded the rank of Chevalier of the French National Order of Arts and Letters (1996) and named Musical Personality of the Year (1997) by the French Syndicate of Music and Drama Critics, Mr. LeRoux has performed principal roles in a diverse repertoire spanning four centuries and ranging from Monteverdi to Mozart to Ravel. He has recorded under the batons of Claudio Abbado and Charles Dutoit, and additionally released 19 albums of mélodie and lieder.

Single tickets for the Wednesday, November 3 performance at 8:00 p.m. are priced at $15 for the concert and post-performance wine reception ($10 for seniors and students).

Advance reservations are required, and can be made via e-mail at
culture@ambafrance-us.org or by telephone at (202) 944-6091.

La Maison Française-which literally translates as "The French House"-is unique to the French embassy in Washington. Its purpose is to promote French art and culture through partnerships with major cultural institutions-including the Library of Congress, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution-and a wide variety of distinguished performers. Through an extensive touring program, the art and artists presented at La Maison Française frequently visit cities in the Mid-Atlantic region. An essential partner in this effort is the French American Cultural Foundation, which also serves as a patron to and forum for cultural exchange and dialogue. La Maison Française is located at 4101 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. Parking for all events is available on Reservoir Road or across from the embassy at Georgetown University Hospital (Entrance 2). For driving directions and other information, visit www.la-maison-francaise.org.