Deep in the Morvan National Forest lies the old hunting lodge, La Domaine de La Chaux, near the village Alligny en Morvan. The Ars Antiqua sang there last spring on the very same weekend when many places in France celebrate flower gardens. So we got to see the lovely gardens again, but since the weather has been so cool, unlike last year when it was extremely hot, we saw different flowers this year. The concert had been added to the schedule at the last minute, but we got an audience because people were already visiting La Chaux to see the flowers, so why not throw in a free Requiem?
We ate in a different building this time, one which the Countess had used to provide retreats for Dominicans, for whom she felt a special connection. This room showed a common table for reading or studying.
Pierre kindly gave us lunch Sunday before we rehearsed and sang. We had just driven three hours, much on winding country roads, so the respite was welcome.
Not your typical 'enter stage right', but it works. We sang again in the old barn with hard plaster walls and wood floor. The acoustics are better than some venues in Vancouver, though the seating leaves a bit to be desired comfort-wise.
Before rehearsing, I took a stroll through the upper gardens.
Friday included five long hours of driving after working, Saturday included two rehearsals and a concert, so after another three-hour drive, one singer was rightly bushed.
We sang several movements of Ockeghem's Missa pro fidelius defunctis (a Requiem Mass for the faithful departed) in the Domaine's tiny chapel. The black stone is raised if you wish to gain access to the family's crypt where the Countess was the most recent to be buried.
The concert was somewhat informal. The dog decided he had heard quite enough talking about Burgundian composers and left.
The dog didn't know what he was missing!
After the concert, little groups dropped by for wine and goodies, which are served after every concert at La Chaux.
Countertenor William and Ars Antiqua groupie.
The concert went very well, everybody was pleased, people asked us questions about the music, and then the group headed its separate ways in three cars. Janice and I drove three hours, just about reaching the Swiss border, where we stayed in an ibis Budget, which was fine. The singers from Geneva went home, and William drove Michel and Claudie back to Paris, but not without challenges. Apparently the gear box gave out, so the final 20 kms were driven in first and second gears only. That likely amused nobody trying to get into Paris late Sunday evening! Michel said that we should have sung the Requiem for the rented car!
With love from us both,
Evan
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