Ensemble Opalescences ...encore.

Two years ago we were fascinated by a concert in one of the Caunes marble quarries. The incredibly talented “Ensemble Opalescences” ventured into the carriere  de Villerambert on the outskirts of Caunes and performed for a strangely clad audience. We had to wear hard hats and were led through the quarry to a temporary stage, set amongst the cutting machinery and sheer cliffs of pink marble.  We were really pleased to see they were repeating the event this year. ........This time, we had to wear high vis jackets as well.

 Their performances were spread over 3 days this time. One concert being held in the church in Caunes, the second, back in the quarry, and the third at le Chateau de Paulignan in nearby Trausse.

We went to the concert in the quarry, which included poetry and dance as well as the fabulous baroque musical performance of Ensemble Opalescences. The concept was to display a dialogue between the musicians and a dancer, relating to the relationship of baroque dance and music from France and from Italy.

Saskia Salembier, introducing the concert

It was completely enchanting.

 Saskia  Salembier, the outrageously beautiful and talented violinist and mezzo soprano ( she didn’t sing in this concert, which was a real shame, as we loved her voice 2 years ago…but if we had looked more carefully at the programme, we would have known this ! ) introduced the concert. Her playing was magnificent, as was that of the other 2 musicians.The acoustics within the quarry space were wonderful. There were no microphones, no amplification…but every word  and every note was crystal clear. Let is be said…that Mark is still completely enchanted by Saskia…..and I feel that he is absolutely entitled to be so…she is incredible !

 ( I called my post about the concert 2 years ago….”is it too late to learn to play the violin ? “ )

This was Saskia Salembier 2 years ago.....

Irene Feste, danseuse baroque

The dancer, Irene Feste, was wonderful. Her dress matched the tones of the marble background against which she performed. Some of her incredibly delicate steps seemed very formal, and later as she took on the Italian commedia dell’arte side of the performance, it seemed much more intuitive and improvised. There was a real dialogue with the musicians……and although it was good to have a visual focus she never took attention away from the intricate power of the music.

We loved it.

never has a concert audience been so strangely clad.....

surrounded by chunks, and chippings

.....and slabs of marble

We were slightly disappointed that the after concert buffet was held at the quarry entrance, on a couple of trestle tables, rather than in the gorgeous courtyard of the Chateau Villarambert as it had been 2 years ago. However, it did not detract from what had been a wonderful evening.

This was the setting for the after concert buffet 2 years ago......not quite the same this time.

As we walked back to the car park, the sky was turning various shades of pink just as darkness approached. It matched the dancer’s dress and the pink and red tones of the marble that surrounded us.