Saturday 5 January 2013

Montréal en Lumière 2013

                                                         
 
A Tango Feast of Music and Food
 
        

                          
 by Nancy Snipper

 From February 21 to March 3 Montréal en Lumière is featuring over 100 top world-class artists and chefs with the accent on Argentina.  70 concerts will take place in 24 different venues.
One of the two honorary co-presidents drummer, Daniel Piazzolla, grandson of Astor (father of tango), will be performing with Escalandrum, his jazz/tango sextet on March 2nd, inside the atmospheric L’Astral. Having collaborated with Gloria Estevan and Chick Corea, Danilo Perez and other greats, Mr. Piazaolla is sure to wow the crowds.

Daniel Piazzolla

Lumière's other co-honourary president is the incomparable classical pianist/composer Alain Lefèvre. One can anticipate the non-stop clapping, whistling and “bravos’ coming from every corner of the acoustically-perfect Maison Symphonique de Montreal during a concert of his melodic masterpieces on February 23rd. A multi-award winner, Mr. Lefèvre will make musical history in the city with a  performance of original pieces from two of his albums, ‘Fidèles Insomnies’ (Blissfully Sleepless) and ‘Jardin d ’Images’. His compositions have mesmerized critics and classical piano lovers around the world. An inspirational genius, he received a ten-minute standing ovation from a crowd of 4000 when Lumière first lit up the stages of Montreal.14 years ago.

Alain Lefèvre
 
Stand-out concerts include a spectacular evening of ‘West Side Story’ Percussion and vocalists will bring to life the tragic love stories in an innovative manner. Argentine dance companies will wow with their wizard choreography. Opera soloists, include counter tenor Daniel Taylor in an all-Bach cantata program, and the scintillating soprano Marie-Josée Lord. Her hypnotic voice is inspiring and unique.

Marie-Josée Lord


Also appearing are Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Daniel Lavoie to the Zombies and the acapella, beatbox boys of Voca people, plus a line-up of many local stars provide appeal to suit diverse tastes.
Tango addicts won’t want to miss the shows of La Pista Tango and La Pista Cabaret.

 La Pista Tango
 
A symphony of salacious gourmet dishes further heightens the senses. Nineteen chefs from Argentina, seven from Philadelphia and four from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean along with two Argentinean wine producers will be cooking up a storm and pouring out vintage wines in 40 kitchens of Montreal as guest chefs pair up with local chefs. Argentinean chef, Gonzalo Aramburu will be serving a ten-course meal using the freshest of Argentinean products in his gourmet molecular dishes. Master chef, Francis Mallman who is also the festival’s honorary president will offer his seven-course meal that includes white fish cooked with salsa criolla and lamb confit with guajchalocro from Jujuy.

Gonzalo Aramburu

Francis Mallmann

Exceptional wines both from Cheval des Andes winery the Terrassas de los Andes will compliment each segment of the feast. This takes place at Europea Restaurant (1227 rue de la Montagne).


Europea will also offer a five-course meal created by Hernan Griccini, renown for his Relais & Châteaux restaurant Chez Nous in Buenos Aires.

Hernan Griccini

Demonstrations and classes in Argentine cuisine along with cheese concoction contests to be judged by tastings the public are also on Lumière’s plate.  


Montreal en Lumière brings joyous light into your life, and in February we all need that.

For information and reservations, call (514) 288-9955. The website is www.montrealenlumiere.com

No comments:

Post a Comment