2023-08-29 19:16:21
Faced with the erosion of the audience, the Musical Summer of Barachois might well be in its last season in its current format. The organizers are beginning to reflect on the future of this classical music series, which has existed for 43 years.
Acadian pianists Julien LeBlanc and Pierre-André Doucet have voluntarily been the artistic directors of the Été musical de Barachois for 12 years. They had taken up the torch following the departure of former artistic director Normand Robichaud.
The two artists who were at the start of their careers at the time wanted to ensure the continuity of this classic summer series, the only one of its kind in New Brunswick. Upon their arrival, they breathed new life into the project, bringing some new features and improving the programming.
However, since the pandemic, the series has struggled to find its audience, despite the quality of the concerts, supports Julien LeBlanc. The last season was rather disastrous, he laments.
“For two years, the public has really been down compared to the numbers we had before the pandemic. And until last year, it might be fine because we had government aid that allowed us to compensate for the shortfall at the ticket office, but this year, we’re really back as before, so we hoped that the public would be much more there, unfortunately that was not the case, ”explained Julien LeBlanc in an interview.
Only two of the 10 concerts of the 43rd season attracted an audience deemed satisfactory by the organizers. The Viola-Léger performance hall of the historic Church of Barachois, which can accommodate just over 200 spectators, often found itself 2/3 empty. Some concerts have attracted around thirty people. To be able to pay production expenses and artists’ fees, they need box office receipts.
“When you don’t make a little bit of money from ticket sales, even with the subsidies you get, it becomes difficult to keep your head above water. In addition, it’s always a bit embarrassing when we receive artists from outside to have them play in almost empty rooms. We are disappointed for them too.”
The Musical Summer receives approximately 60% of its funding from governments, 10% from donations from the public and organizations, and hopefully 30% from box office. In addition to the decline in attendance, a few unforeseen events including housing difficulties for Academy students contributed to increased expenses, leaving the organizers in a fragile financial situation.
Julien LeBlanc attributes the drop in attendance to several factors. The change in consumer habits since the pandemic, the aging of the public and the growth of the cultural offer are among the factors. The pianist also points the finger at musical education, which is losing momentum.
“Music education at school is much less present […] therefore people who do not know, are not interested in it. Whereas often, when we manage to have people in the room, they are amazed by what they see and hear. I think there’s nothing better than seeing a live musician regardless of style.”
To reinvent oneself
The last concert of the season will be presented on Thursday. The artistic directors will then initiate a reflection on the next steps.
“I think it is very possibly the end of the Musical Summer as we know it with concerts every week at the historic Church of Barachois. We are starting to realize that this formula is no longer the right one so if there is going to be a continuation, I think we have to find another way of doing things, maybe other concert venues. There might still be a few concerts at the historic Church, but certainly not in the current form.
According to the pianist, L’Été musical is not the only classical music organization to experience this situation, but there are still classical series in the country that work very well.
“In classical music, there is always a lot of work to do to reach the public. Some organizations have a budget that allows them to promote publicity, they have publicity teams. We don’t have those resources.”
He just happened to give two recitals in a new festival in Estrie in front of packed houses. He specifies that the organizers have worked hard with a committee of volunteers to encourage people to buy tickets.
“Maybe that’s what we need, a team of volunteers who get involved, who invite their friends and who promote.”
The pianist specifies that combining a career as a freelance musician and the artistic direction of a series like that of Barachois represents a considerable amount of work. If there is a 44th season in 2024, it will probably be the last for Julien LeBlanc, who now wants to devote more time to his booming career as a pianist.
Last gig
For his very last concert of the season, we offer a varied program combining vocals, violin and piano. Pianist Julien LeBlanc will be in the cast, as well as violinist Julie Triquet and young soprano Catherine St-Arnaud.
She made her US debut this year with the Portland Symphony in Oregon as principal soprano in the Carmina Burana and as Adina in the Elisir d’Amore in Taiwan last June.
“She is a singer with a round and luminous timbre, with a solid technique and who is very charismatic,” mentions Julien LeBlanc, who regularly collaborates with the soprano in various events.
She is in the cast of Michel Tremblay’s opera Albertine en cinq temps, with music by Catherine Major, for which the Acadian pianist provides musical direction. This opera is going on tour once more this fall.
Violinist Julie Triquet, who was part of the first version of the Arthur-LeBlanc Quartet, is happy to return to play in New Brunswick in this concert at the historic Barachois Church.
The colorful and emotional program will include works by American Libby Larsen, Mel Bonis, Amy Beach, Cécile Chaminade, Reynaldo Hahn, Camille Saint-Saëns, Richard Strauss and Anne Sylvestre. The concert is presented this Thursday, August 31 at 7 p.m.
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