Caunes manages to put on some incredible entertainment. The latest has been a series of Baroque concerts held in one of the marble quarries, next to Chateau Villerambert on the outskirts of the village. The setting, while bizarre on one level added a haunting beauty to the music.
We walked from the car park to the quarry, wearing hard hats, and wondering whether the piles of marble rocks, chips, and slabs were securely placed.
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| Le groupe Opalescences, Saskia Salembier, Mezzo soprano et vilon baroque, Akitsu Orri, Traverso, Natacha Gauthier, Violoncelle et Alban Tregoures, Clavecin |
After the
concert, where Mark admitted he had fallen in love with the gorgeous mezzo
soprano who also played the violin like an angel ( if angels were to play
violins), we adjourned to the Chateau Villerambert for a wonderful buffet by
moonlight.
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| in the grounds of the Chateau |
It was another great night out in Caunes Minervois.
What a superb idea!
ReplyDeleteHow were the acoustics?
The acoustics were very good. There was no amplification at all, and the quietest pieces all sounded very clear. It worked perfectly. The concert was called "Musique Baroque de Versailles"...and of course, Caunes marble was used during the building of Versailles...all very apt. It was a very good idea, and I am sure one that will be repeated as it was so well received.
DeleteDad looks funny in a hard hat, not the type of person to wear one really.
ReplyDeleteTypical.... I tell you that dad is in love with a violinist and you comment on his hat. Oh well. Actually, note that I didn't include a picture of me in a hard hat... I looked ridiculous. x
DeleteThat's what I call a great night out, Janice. Like Fly, the acoustics sprang immediately to mind as I read....
ReplyDeleteyes... as to Fly, the sound was excellent. I keep pinching myself to remind myself that this incredible little village....is where I live for half of the year. Someone, on one of these associations that plans these events is very creative. It was a brilliant idea.
DeleteI kept thinking I could hear the music!
ReplyDeleteNow if I was really clever i would have recorded a piece and included it....oh well, never mind. Glad you're having such a good time in Santa Fe. Jx
DeleteCaunes really sounds like my kind of place - though I suspect I too would look ridiculous in a hard hat! What a stunning and original idea - and I rather liked the look of the supper venue that followed. I understand the need to pinch yourself too! It's a far cry - but I like to think we deserve it! Enjoy, enjoy. Axxx
ReplyDeleteIt was excellent Annie....but realise I seem to be physically incapable of blogging about negatives.....not that there are many in this new life of mine. I think it stems from my controlling streak, where I knew that if I kept the minutes of a meeting, the meeting would decide what I wanted it to, and chances are no one would remember it differently. I've clearly got too much time to think, eh ? Jxxx
DeleteI'm sure the acoustics were superb, Janice. What fun! This reminds me of Red Rock Canyon in the Rockies where we once heard a concert. From jazz to baroque, you are surely embracing your musical surroundings. I loved seeing and reading about this - and yes, you can always learn the violin.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll stick to learning the piano, which I've been doing for 5 years...... still no further on than I was after year 1, and the flute, which I took up 20 years ago....and am still at the stage I was at at the end of year 1. Oh well... I dont think Mark will leave me for the violinists in the baroque group, even if she was amazing. It was agreat night out. J.
DeleteWow - what an exciting setting! What a lovely life you have too.
ReplyDeleteThe setting was spectacular.... I never know what Caunes is going to come up with next. J.
DeleteAmazing setting - Highly unlikely place for a concert. We have lots of marble quarries here, but I doubt any will ever resound to music.
ReplyDeleteit was decidely unusual...and it really worked. Hope things are going well with the dog. J.
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ReplyDeleteSorry, I wrote my post in french and it has been half translated...
ReplyDeleteBravo Janice for the pictures and commentary about the concert.
Best regards
Jean-Paul
http://www.opalescences.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ensemble.opalescences?v=wall
Thanks for your comment.... we really enjoyed the concert and thought the ensemble Opalescences was an incredibly talented group. Bravo. I will certainly look at the facebook page. Janice.
DeleteIt looks amazing the setting...looks like all had a good time at the concert. I enjoy going to things like that....erica
ReplyDeleteIt was unusual to say the least, and the music was glorious, so yes, we did have an excellent time. The food at the buffet afterwards was also wonderful. J.
DeleteHello - this looks wonderful! It seems you're making the most of your life in France - we are so busy that we often miss out on this kind of thing. Roll on independent children... we're nearly there!
ReplyDeleteWe moved from Harrogate to Toulouse, so your profile description rings a bell! I shall be back to find out more about your doings.
Hi Floss, delighted to meet you. Our first year living between Yorkshire and the Minervois has been a real adventure. The independent children side of things does make it a bit easier than it might have been. Thanks for calling in...keep in touch, I look forward to hearing about life in Toulouse. J
DeleteTips women check : blogidentik.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHello Janice,
ReplyDeleteMaybe will be made we again the great pleasure attend, you and your husband, the concerts of "Ensemble Opalescences" in the " Nights from Villerambert to Causnes-Minervois. Here is the program :
On Thursday 22 august at 7 pm: the Renaissance a cappella ( Josquin Desprez)
On Friday, August 23rd at 7 pm: Italian Music (Jephté de Haendel)
On Saturday, August 24th at 7 pm: oriental Furies (virtuoso airs of Haendel)
In the pleasure to read you and to see your beautiful photos on this blog!
Very cordially
Jean-Paul
Secrétariat Opalescences
www.opalescences.com
http://www.facebook.com/ensemble.opalescences
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