2023-07-11 05:01:00
Initiated by the Tarbes pianist David Fray, the “Musical Offering” festival has aroused great interest even before its official launch. Faithful support from the start, Frédéric Cabanes chairs the association that supports him, “Musiques et Solidarités en Hautes-Pyrénées”. Interview.
How do you find yourself presiding over “L’Offrande Musicale”?
As often, it is a question of meeting, of chance. I was in the right place at the right time with the right people. But it’s teamwork. We have a very good team of volunteers and lots of support. When we started, we didn’t know what to expect and today, it exceeds our expectations.
A few days from the end, what conclusions do you draw from this 3rd edition?
The results are very positive. We got off to a flying start with the opening concert dedicated to Mozart and we were wondering how we were going to be able to continue at this pace and generate the same enthusiasm, but, to our greatest satisfaction, it continues every evening. The evening with Hector Obalk was exciting, Gérard Depardieu’s concert full of emotions, the children’s matinee had never had such a large audience, with also a great participation from the schools, the tickets sold out very quickly for the baroque evening Italian at the Escaladieu and even the Matthias Goerne concert, in a new genre for our festival, was almost full at the Montus castle… The concerts are all sold out, or almost, and people with disabilities also join more in addition.
And what regarding the feminist demonstration before Gérard Depardieu’s concert?
It is freedom of expression. And it was also a respectful demonstration. It delayed the start of the show, and that’s a shame, but that’s the point of the protests. The public who came to watch the show were delighted and for Gérard Depardieu, it meant a lot to sing Barbara in Tarbes.
What is the secret to success?
Our festival is a cultural event whose keystone, beyond our shared love of music, is our societal ambition to change the way people look at disability. These shows must take place and we must be able to host them in the best possible conditions. Welcoming the public, of course, so that they can really enjoy the show, but also the artists for whom disabled people are not their usual audience. Those who have already come are touched by our cause and congratulate us that we have such a level in such a short time and with such a “living” audience. Artists like it. Our festival has a soul and I want us to keep this soul.
This festival is as enriching for the president as you are.
Yes. We meet great people and it’s a satisfaction to succeed in a project, but above all to see that people are happy. And when you see people with disabilities happy, you know it’s so heartfelt. It’s a wonderful posture. We want to put them forward and make them feel good. More personally, I who did a little piano in my youth, I listen to these classical works with my child’s ears. I even took up the piano once more.
Can not wait for next year?
Yes and no. Because if we are already working on the 4th edition, our association also carries out actions throughout the year, in particular musicology in medico-social establishments, nursing homes and schools. Without forgetting reruns in establishments and cultural events that may be added during the year, as was the case last fall with the concert by Cecilia Bartoli. Lots of things are going to happen between now and next summer!
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