In the past ten years, the Orchester symphonique de Québec has not presented a major Christmas concert. It will do things big this year with two shows with guest tenor Éric Laporte and the 90 singers of the OSQ Choir.
Two concerts that will be presented, Thursday and Friday, sold out at the Grand Théâtre de Québec. Tickets sold out very quickly.
“Christmas concerts are always special. We feel in sharing, we feel the joys of childhood and there is something that vibrates differently, ”said choirmaster David Rompré, who prepared the 90 choristers for these two evenings.
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The OSQ’s last major Christmas concert was presented on December 16, 2011 at the Pavillon de la Jeunesse. Entitled La Grande virée de Noël, this show featured Gregory Charles, Nicolas Pellerin, the traditional group Les Grands Hurleurs and 300 choristers.
We will find the essential Christmas classics, with the Adeste fideles, Peuple faithful, Le premier Noël and others, slightly less traditional pieces, such as Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and classical instrumental pieces. The OSQ will be led by guest conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée.
At home
Guest tenor Éric Laporte, who will sing several songs, leaves a certain suspense surrounding the interpretation of Minuit Chrétiens.
“We will see,” said the singer from Quebec, who did not want to confirm the thing. It would be surprising if this classic were set aside.
Éric Laporte, who has not had the opportunity to sing often at Christmas concerts, remembers a show that was presented at the end of his singing studies in the late 1990s.
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“I am feverish and so happy to come and sing at home. It’s always something special. The atmosphere has been fantastic since the beginning of rehearsals and I expect very magical evenings,” said the tenor who grew up in L’Ancienne-Lorette.
He points out that the Christmas concerts are more relaxed than the classical concerts which are a little more serious. Ginette Reno’s Christmas album is her favorite and Richard Verreault’s Minuit Chrétiens is the song that unknowingly led her to opera.
“It was a tradition in our house set up by my mother. We listened to this on the radio, during my youth, on December 24 at midnight. You had to be quiet,” he said.
For choir director David Rompré, who has directed the OSQ choir for 20 years, the challenge is to adapt to the arrangements put in place by conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée.
“Bach’s oratorio is also technically demanding for choristers,” he remarked.
Rehearsals for the Choir began in early November and continued once a week in the cafeteria at Quebec High School.
The OSQ Choir is made up of 75 non-professional singers, who were chosen following auditions, and 25 professional singers.
