The Festival de la Voix de Montréal is set for its tenth edition with concerts and workshops for all ages throughout the month of April, featuring many of Quebec’s most outstanding artists. The Festival which takes place in Dorval, Pointe-Claire, Beaconsfield, Ste-Geneviève, Montreal and Hudson celebrates the beauty, versatility and power of the human voice.

This year, the Festival de la Voix takes place over four weekends with concerts for elementary and high school students being held during the week. Concerts and workshops for the 2023 edition get underway April 1st and run until April 28th.

This year’s festival features Quebec icon singer/songwriter/pianist Daniel Lavoie in his show, Tension Attention – 40 ans, featuring Lavoie’s best known, unforgettable songs. This is Daniel Lavoie’s first tour in Quebec in six years and he is always worth waiting for; great voice, great lyrics and a fine showman! Sunday, April 16; Serge Nolet Auditorium, Dorval, 3 pm.

The great Kim Richardson and Marc Hervieux will sing with an 18-piece big band of some of Montreal’s finest jazz musicians conducted by Ron di Lauro in “C’est si bon…de danser”, hosted by Radio-Canada host, Claude Saucier.  This is the Festival de la Voix’s first collaboration with the Salle Pauline Julien in Ste-Genevieve. Thursday, April 6, 7 pm.

The indefatigable and beautiful songstress Ranee Lee celebrates her 80th birthday with a performance of Dark Divas in Hudson. Ranee shares the stage with her septet in a program highlighting the music of Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and more. Saturday, April 15; St. James Anglican Church, Hudson 3 pm.

Back by popular demand, the IMANI Gospel Singers led by Marcia Bailey with their program of gospel and spirituals. Opening this concert is the Blue Dawn Quartet, four female singers, who will sing a captivating piece in Yiddish by Montreal composer and singer Rona Nadler. Saturday, April 1, Unitarian Church of Montreal, 7 pm.

QUARTOM, one of Canada’s finest male vocal quartets, will sing an eclectic program entitled “From the Renaissance to Today”. Popular throughout Quebec and well beyond our borders, they are great singers and entertainers. You won’t want this concert to end! Sunday, April 2, Église de la Présentation, Dorval at 3 pm.

The remarkable baroque soprano Myriam Leblanc and Ensemble Mirabilia will perform a program of Antonio Vivaldi at the beautiful Église St Joachim in Pointe-Claire on Saturday, April 22, 7 pm. Opening this concert is the OPUS 16 conducted by Alain Lanctôt.

The Festival de la Voix is honoured to present Nikamu Mamuitun (Chansons rassembleuses) Eight young First Nations and Québecois singer/songwriters and instrumentalists will share their original songs and their stories in this upbeat, moving, rock/pop show. Presented at Beaconsfield High School in cooperation with students and teachers on Sunday afternoon April 23 at 3 pm.

A free concert featuring the music of Les Fusiliers de Mont-Royal, a concert band of outstanding musicians/reservists with the Canadian military and soprano Kerry-Anne Kutz. The program will include music of well-known composers and something for everyone on Friday, April 28th; Serge Nolet Auditorium; Dorval; 7 pm.

Eda Holmes, Artistic Director of Centaur Theatre, will present a workshop about the use of facial and corporal expression for singers. Participants will have an opportunity to present a musical excerpt and perfect their interpretation. Saturday, April 1, Pointe-Claire, 1 – 4 pm.

Versatile and exceptional pianist Chad Linsley will give a workshop on reading and playing chords on piano. This workshop is designed for people who have a basic knowledge of the piano and who would like to know more about voicing chords. Saturday, April 15, Pointe-Claire, 9 – 12 pm.

Ranee Lee will give a master class on “The Artistry of Singing” – jazz standard interpretation. Ranee will sing with her trio as part of this master class and then work with each singer on tone, phrasing, and beautiful singing. Saturday, April 22, Pointe-Claire; 1- 4 pm.

MUSIQUEMOSAÏQUE, a concert for elementary and secondary school students will present the Buffalo Hat Singers, dancer Barbara Diabo, the music of North Africa by the eclectic musicians and Middle Eastern instruments of OktoEcho and Fatima Wilson Steelpan Drums.

Another outstanding ensemble, the 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Band will play for music students of Beaconsfield High and John Rennie High Schools.

The festival was founded by Kerry-Anne Kutz and friends in 2012. They wanted to provide a platform for local musicians of international calibre as well as emerging artists, to sing and play on the West Island and beyond, bringing people together for the love of music each spring after the long, cold winter.

For information about locations and tickets, please call Info: 514 758-3641 or visit: festivaldelavoix.com 

Related Posts