Israel in Egypt

Messiah is certainly Handel’s best-known masterpiece, but it is far from the only one he wrote.

The oratorio Israel in Egypt, which describes the ten plagues of Egypt and the festivities in honour of Yahweh after the Exodus, is a veritable musical fireworks display for the pleasure of lovers of baroque music and choral singing: the choir is given the lion’s share of attention in this work, with the choristers singing in four and eight voices, and even in double choir formation.

The majestic and regal music is a reflection of pre-imperial England, full of verve and overflowing with exhilaration.

Artists
Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal

Louis Lavigueur, C.Q., artistic director

Louis Lavigueur has been artistic director and conductor of the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal since 1986. Prize winner at the Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors (France), he is conductor of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal Orchestra since September 2013 and founder-director of the Ensemble Sinfonia de Montréal. He also served as conductor in residence for the McGill University Orchestra. One of few conductors equally at ease with both choir and orchestra, he is the conductor of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal Chorus and artistic director of the Ensemble vocal Polymnie, the Choeur polyphonique de Montréal and the Choeur classique de Montréal.

A respected and distinguished educator, Louis Lavigueur has taught at Laval and McGill universities, the University of Montreal, Pierre-Laporte High School and at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal where he still teaches conducting. As guest conductor, he has performed with several orchestras and choirs in Canada, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Romania.

Louis Lavigueur’s impressive career as maestro, musician, conductor and teacher earned him the title of “Personnalité de la semaine” in La Presse newspaper and at Radio-Canada on March 7, 2011. In May, 2011, Maestro Lavigueur was named Chevalier of the National Order of Québec, the most prestigious honour awarded annually to those outstanding men and women who, in their respective fields, have made major contributions to Quebec society.

Odéi Bilodeau, soprano
Marianne Lambert, soprano
Ian Sabourin, countertenor
Emmanuel Hasler, tenor
John Giffen, baritone
Clayton Kennedy, bass

Maison symphonique
Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 8:00pm

To purchase your tickets visit: www.placedesarts.com