With just a
few days left in Caunes, before a 3 week trip back to the UK, I am posting some
further thoughts about this incredibly lovely town we have found to live in ,
here in the Languedoc.
Having the
children and grandchildren here for the last 2 weeks has meant we have not been
involved in what has been happening in the village. Most of our time has been
spent by the pool, or taking the kids to other places to play with water….lakes
and beaches….
However,
last night we attended one of Caunes' “Vendredi Classiques”.
On most
Fridays during July and August, there is a village meal, followed by a concert
in the grounds of the Abbey. I attended several last year when I was here on my
own, and Mark and I have made a point of going to them this summer, when we
have been here.
Last night,
we left 2 of the children and 2 of the grandchildren at the house to manage a pizza tea themselves. Jess and
her friend Freni, who is visiting, had been left at Narbonne station earlier in
the day, for their trip to Barcelona.
Mark, his sister and brother in law ( who had
just arrived having cycled from Surrey….770 miles ! ) and I went to the village
meal and then onto the concert.
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| Celebrating Hannah and Rick's arrival from Surrey, after 770 miles of cycling |
It was a
stunning evening, despite being relocated from the Abbey’s amphi theatre to the
adjoining church, due to the high winds.
Frederic
Cornille had every woman in the audience eating out of his hand, as soon as he
walked on……and when he started to sing……..it was just out of this world.
 |
| Frederic Cornille |
He then performed a tremendous rendition of an aria from Handel’s “Serse”. The lightheartedness had gone, and the passion and soulfulness was intense. His whole body was involved with everything he sang.
 |
| Frederic Cornille....with Francois Gilles in front, conducting. |
He ended
with a fast and furious “Largo al factotum” from “The Barber of Seville”, and
thoroughly earned his standing ovation.
For such a small town....the quality of the concerts has always amazed us.....but this took it all to another level. It was wonderful.
That sounds like a marvellous evening.
ReplyDeleteI would not have grumbled so much about the so called arts budget in our old department if they had provided performances of this quality...but instead they would provide 'story tellers', jugglers and fire eaters - sheer condescension to what was seen as a peasant audience.
The quality of these concerts continues to surprise me. I don't think fire eaters would go down well here at all. I was so pleased for the organisers yesterday, as moving the concert into the church from the amphitheatre is always a shame. probably the acoustics were better in the church, but the outside setting is beautiful. It was so good to see the audience respond so positively to this talented young man.
DeleteIf this wasn't written JUST for me, then you have fooled me beautifully. I know I would have loved this concert for all the right - and all the wrong - reasons! Lucky you. Sounds like a perfect evening. (Must book a visit next time Johnny Depp's in town!)
ReplyDeleteAxxx
OK...I did think of you when I was taking the photos yesterday.....knowing he would have immediate appeal, and I did think of you when I put the post together. You would have loved him.....when he was doing the "Vieni alla finestra", he took a rose around the audience, hinted at giving it to several women, and then snatched it away, just at the last minute, before finally giving it to a woman, who I suspect has it pressed and framed already. He was wonderful. Jxxx
DeleteI'm taken with just the photos - I haven't even heard him sing yet
ReplyDeleteThat's how the audience felt....I wish I'd videod a bit, so I could have posted his singing as well....but to be honest, just looking at him was good ! Jx
DeleteWhat a marvellous programme - a lot of my favourites, and so well contrasted. I'm green with envy. I wish our local council here in Wales would lay on things like that.
ReplyDeleteI do think we are very lucky, and I suppose, once a venue has a good reputation, it is easier to attract class performers. J.
DeleteYou've made me realise I should make an effort to attend some of our local music festivals here in Yorkshire - time to stop dreaming about about rock concerts perhaps. But will the performers here look so beautiful? Sorry, SOUND so beautiful...
ReplyDeleteHe was very beautiful ! Hebden Bridge is a good place to live in Yorkshire for live music...there are a couple of venues that host good quality things...but not really the classical stuff. I continue to be impressed by what Caunes is able to put on for their summer entertainment.....and yes, he did sound pretty good too. Jx
DeleteThat sounds like my idea of the perfect evening out, Janice. I love classical singers and when they look as well as sound good that's even better. :-) I think the acoustics in the church would have been more favourable to his voice and certainly the wind would have swept much of the sound away outside.
ReplyDeletePS I'm deeply impressed by Mark's sister and brother-in-law. 770 miles is a LONG way to cycle!
It was a lovely evening, even if in true Caunes style, the concert planned to start at 9.30pm didn't really start properly until 10 ish....meaning a very late finish.
DeleteThe bike ride was a real achievement, we are completely aghast at their feat. They took 3 weeks over the trip and have had a wonderful time, but still...770 miles ...amazing. Jx
I must be an ignoramous but is it something to d with the barber of Seville that Frederic ends up with shorn hair?
ReplyDeleteI agree 770 miles including I've no doubt a fair few hills. Well done Hannah and Rick!
I'm so pleased that you areembracing all of the culture and wonderful things that Caunes has to offer, as well as sharing it with friends and family.
I think he tied his hair back when he got more emotional !
DeleteThe cycle trip was pretty amazing, and now they are planning a final ride to Narbonne, and are putting their bikes on a coach, which will take them all the way back to Surrey.
Jx
Gosh what an achievement for Hannah and Rick to cycle all of that way from Surrey.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you are joining in with the local activities in Caunes. French towns up and down the country seem to have plenty of activities going on especially during the summer months. We went to a village feast with our friends when we were last in France; quite an experience - all the food was delivered hot in big metal bins on a tractor and the wine flowed.
The village festivals are certainly very impressive. we have got to know the caterer for the Caunes meals....and she has made us a couple of huge lasagnes for when I have had all the family staying, so I have not had to cook every day.....they have been excellent.Jx
DeleteWhat a lovely concert, and mmmm, a Very Attractive Baritone in Frederic.. I know I would have loved it too. Caunes does sound like a great place for a second home. Cycling 770 miles from Surrey? the mind boggles, and well done to them. Enjoy it all! xx
ReplyDeleteI think Hannah and Rick feel that Caunes is worth cycling to ! It is a lovely town, with so much going on in the summer months. Jx
DeleteWhat a great evening. We would have loved it too.
ReplyDeleteI bet it didn't cost a fortune either.
We rarely go to concerts here in Sheffield or Nottingham, our two nearest cities. At £30 plus a ticket, plus travel and parking, it becomes £100 for a night out. Then you would have to run the gauntlet of the yobs and yobettes to get back to the car!
It was very good value.....meal 12 euros and concert 16 euros.....no travel costs, no parking costs....perfect !
DeleteWhat a perfect evening Janice.With your photos i was well able to picture your evening.From your description i was able to sense great anticipation as one particular lady received the rose.x Maria.
ReplyDeleteHe was fairly adorable ! Jx
DeleteSounds like an amazing and memorable evening. What an achievement to cycle all that way - well done to them! Hope you have a lovely last few days in Caunes, and a good trip back to the UK.
ReplyDeletex
Thanks, I'm back in the UK now and have really enjoyed the last few weeks in Caunes...only another 3 weeks and I'll be back there again ! Jx
DeleteJanice, you must know how much I would have enjoyed this concert - outdoors or in, it sounds and looks magnificent. It is wonderful to see you enjoying so much in Caunes; famiily, food, swimming, music. Life!
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for Hannah and Rick.
Hannah and Rick really deserved the 3 cheers. It is a pretty amazing thing to have done. We left them in Caunes yesterday, we came back to England for a couple of weeks, and they are enjoying a well deserved relaxing few days at our housebefore they head back to England ( on a bus...with a trailer pulling their bikes ).Jx
DeleteLovely evening. This summer has proved to be a busy one for you hasn't it? I bet you've enjoyed every minute!
ReplyDeleteThe summer has been great fun so far A. Busy, tiring, but incredibly enjoyable. Jx
DeleteCatching up with your life via posts. It's all go isn't it?! What a lot of fun, I'm feeling ready to move to Caunes ASAP :)
ReplyDeleteHoping to meet you next week in Hebden Bridge, a glass of wine at Stubbings?. We arrive Sat 10th. Would greatly appreciate some practical advice on how to handle a 2 country retirement scenario as we are considering buying in the area in the next couple of years in order to have a base near David's aging mum.
My email is jmhodgson@aol.com or I would be happy for you to friend me on FB and message.
Thanks x
I've emailed you Jill...hoping to meet up soon. jx
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