The picturesque Charlevoix countryside is a lovely summer backdrop for fans of classical music and smooth jazz

The Domaine Forget International Music Festival is set in the village of Saint Irénée in the Charlevoix region near la Malbaie, and close to Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu. Beginning on June 16 and continuing through to September 2, the festival has established a high profile within the classical music community. The surrounding countryside is lovely, and the Festival’s intimate Françoys-Bernier Concert Hall has excellent acoustics, making the whole cultural experience pleasing for the audience and performers.

Paul Fortin, the Artistic Director for La Place des Arts has accepted the same position for Domaine Forget and he has assembled a first-class lineup of talented musicians and performers. Bernard Labadie and his Les Violins du Roy will open the festival on June 16.

The phenomenal young pianist Jan Lisiecki will perform on July 12. The legendary Borodin Quartet will be perform on July 13, to be followed the next evening by I Musici and their new conductor Jean-Marie Zetouni and vocalist Marie-Nicole Lemieux.

On June 30, jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli with perform with his quartet and his wife Jessica Molaskey; herself a famous singer. Oliver Jones and his trio take the stage on Saturday, August 11. Six highly talented jazz musicians will perform on August 25; Michel Cusson, Jean-Pierre Zanella, Lorraine Desmarais, Tiger Okoshi, Frédéric Alarie and Mark Walker.

The energetic and internationally renowned Yannick Nezet-Seguin will conduct the dynamic Orchestre Métropolitain on July 22 in a concert that will showcase the amazingly talented Stéphane Tétreault.

In all there are 75 concerts from mid-June until Labour Day weekend in a somewhat less formal setting. 25 are classical, 13 are musical brunches, 4 are jazz, 1 dance night, 20 Master Classes will be given and 12 concerts will be presented by students from The Academy. The performances are spaced so that concert goers will have time to visit and enjoy the surrounding villages.

For people who choose to stay at the 5 Star Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu; they have a full service resort to enjoy, including indoor and outdoor pools, a full range of pampering spa services, and a recently renovated golf course. And of course there is the gourmet 4 diamond dining room. Le Manoir Richelieu also offers casual dining, enabling concert-goers to arrive in time for 8pm concert times.

For detailed program information please visit: www.domaineforget.com or call toll free: 1-888-336-7438. For reservations at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu: www.fairmont.com/richelieu or call: 418-665-3703. Enjoy!