This concert of Les Rugissants shines a light on Spanish Choral Music of the 20th and 21st centuries, but also on an imaginary Spain evoked by composers from altogether other regions.

 

In addition to music, this show gives voice to the poet and composer Federico García Lorca, so intimately linked to Andalusia and flamenco singing. His dramatic work is full of gypsy and Catholic symbols, giving breath and depth to the concert.

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In the chapter of Spanish composers, we present works from Manuel Oltra, important figure of Catalan music whose work is infused with various folkloric traditions of Spain, from Xavier Montsalvatge, Enrique Fabrezand Albert Alcaraz, all renowned in Spain but less known outside of their native country. Each of these works has been chosen for the musical contrasts offered within, the sense of discovery for which they provide and to create a diverse program representative of the kind of Spanish musical production that has long captured the public imagination.

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From territories outside of Spain, the Finnish Einojuhani Rautavaara and the Italian Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco have translated the poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca into music to incarnate an outsider’s perspective on the Spanish spirit.

 

As well as the music, this show gives a voice to poet and composer Federico Garcia Lorca, so intimately connected to Andalusia and to the universe of Flamenco. His work for stage, loaded with symbols at once gypsy and Catholic, weave a connective thread throughout the concert that gives both breadth and depth.

 

Many works in this concert are accompanied by what can be described as the fetish instrument of Spain: the guitar. It is guitarist Jonathan Barriault who makes this instrument sing as he performs alongside the ensemble. 

 

This concert would not be the same without Flamenco specialist Marie-Andrée Cloutier who dances directly from her heart.​

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