Fête de la Musique caps ‘French Spring in Manila 2001’

Alliance Française de Manille is presenting three events in this year’s "French Spring in Manila 2001," treating Filipino arts lovers to some of today’s best performance artists in France. These include performances by the Junior Ballet of the Conservatory of Paris and Les Trompettes de Versailles, as well as the annual celebration of Fête de la Musique, the traditional Music Day in France.

The Junior Ballet of the Conservatory of Paris takes centerstage on June 6 in a performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) at 8 p.m.

The members of the Junior Ballet, by tradition, tour the world to perform as part of their requirements for graduation. The students are graded by their ballet masters based, not just on their actual performances on stage, but also on audience reaction.

Prior the Junior Ballet’s performance in Manila, the group performed in Hong Kong and interacted with students at the Hong Kong School of the Performing Arts. In Manila, the Junior Ballet members will be interacting with members of Ballet Philippines and other dance companies affiliated with Steps, the dance studio of Sofia Elizalde Zobel.

For "French Spring in Manila 2001," the Junior Ballet will perform four numbers: Untitled for 10, set to the music of Andrea Cera, a slow, graceful yet lively performance that express an interpretation of how space encloses the dancers; Dub features the versatility of the dancers as they dance solos to duo, trio and ensemble, accompanied by the music of Mozart, Engel Wider Willen and Lee Perry;

Garden of Villandry is a classic ballet adagio that follows a simple plot between two suitors and a lady, counterbalanced by a Schubert string trio; and Fever, a contemporary ballet highlighted by energetic body movements with the lively music of Fear Factory, Painkiller, Flugschadel and Edvard Grieg.

The performance by the Junior Ballet of the Conservatory of Paris was made possible with the support of Lafarge Cement and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The group Les Trompettes de Versailles relives the French Baroque music repertory that was in vogue during the 17th century. Although French Baroque music was heavily influenced by Italian Baroque music, French musicians of the time created new genres, such as the opera, oratorio, cantata, sonata and concerto, which have become the cornerstone of today’s classical music.

Les Trompettes de Versailles is composed of trumpet players Serge Rougegrez and Patrick Marmande and organist-com-poser Georges Bessonnet. The group was formed following a concert at the Royal Chapel of Versailles in 1983. The unusual forces highlight the extravagant character of the period’s music, with the organ taking over the role of the whole orchestra.

The group performs at the San Agustin Church on June 7, 7:30 p.m., featuring a program of works by French Baroque composers Jean-Baptiste Lully, François Couperin, Louis-Nicolas Clerambault, Jean-Joseph Mouret, Michel Corette and Michel-Richard Delalande. The concert will feature the church’s newly-restored 18th century Spanish Baroque pipe organ. The concert is made possible through the support of Vivendi Water and San Agustin Museum.

The annual Fête de La Musique brings to a close this year’s "French Spring in Manila 2001."

The annual music festival, an important event throughout France, gives amateur and professional musicians equal time to take to the streets, parks, pubs and other open spaces to perform and share their love for music. Since the celebration was started in 1982, the event is now practiced in more than a hundred countries in the world.

In the Philippines, it has since become an eagerly anticipated event since it was introduced six years ago. Last year’s Fête de La Musique, held at The Fort, gathered more than 3,000 music enthusiasts.

This year’s event will be held on Nakpil St. in Malate on June 23, starting at 7 p.m. until the wee hours of the morning. Participating bands include Rivermaya, Brownbeat All-Stars, Imago, Pinikpikan, Puro Ritmo, Ugoy-Ugoy Band, Bluesviminda, Razorback, Cynthia Alexander, Spy, Garlic, Radioactive Sago Project and more.

This showcase of Filipino music talent is co-organized by PLW-BTL, with the support of Alcatel, Tower Records and ABS-CBN.