Festival de la Voix season 11: March 20 to April 13

Festival de la Voix

Concerts in Dorval, Beaconsfield, Pointe-Claire, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Sainte-Geneviève, and Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue

The immensely popular Quebecoise star
Martine St-Clair is this year’s festival headliner

Now in its 11th year and curated by festival founder Kerry-Anne Kutz, Festival de la Voix will again  celebrate the power of music and the human voice. The 2024 program offers concerts for all ages along with master workshops, in various venues across the West Island from March 20-April 13. A special, free post-festival concert features award-winning Connie Kaldor on April 19.

From festival Artistic Director Kerry-Anne Kutz states; “I’m thrilled to have so many fabulous singers and instrumentalists for this 11th edition. They will share their voices, their thoughts and their music from many cultures including Indigenous artists, the Black community, and the beautiful music of Quebec. We’ve got it all, from Baroque to the Blues,” she said. A full list of artists can be found here: www.festivaldelavoix.com/artists.

This edition offers 6 eclectic, multi-artist concerts including combinations of solo powerhouses, orchestras, singer-songwriters, choirs, jazz trios, classical ensembles, folk and blues musicians and vocal quartets; 3 exceptional workshops; and unique school concerts

Festival favourite Rob Lutes will take the stage March 24
Photo: Mark Robinson Baristography

The mix of styles and voices kicks off with Martine St-Clair on Wed. March 20 at 7:30pm. This powerhouse pop icon is one of Quebec’s most beloved artists. For Kutz, St-Clair is this year’s headliner, in many ways, “Martine is not only a tremendous singer; she is an insightful, generous and inclusive artist who wants the senior music students of École secondaire Dorval-Jean-XXlll to share the spotlight. These young musicians are overjoyed to perform with her.”

On Sunday, March 24, Nadia Di Lauro and her band, featuring some of Montreal’s best musicians will swing and soothe. Also on the bill is award-winning folk-blues singer and songwriter Rob Lutes performing his unique and beautifully crafted songs with long-time collaborator, the lauded resophonic guitarist Rob MacDonald.

Hallelujah! : A Choral Celebration will wow audiences on Friday April 5 with one of the most famous pieces in the history of classical music, Georg Frédéric Haendel’s Hallelujah. The twenty-five artists on stage include Ensemble ArtChoral and JUNO award-winning orchestra Ensemble Caprice, conducted by Matthias Maute and accompanied by Nigra Sum as well as other vocal ensembles from the community.

Jazz singer Karen Young will perform
well-known standards and songs by Abbey Lincoln

Sunday, April 7 is a treat with one of Canada’s finest jazz singers, Karen Young, interpreting well-known standards and unforgettable songs by Abbey Lincoln, followed by original folk grass group Steel Rail offering incredible guitar picking and sublime vocal harmonies.

New Horizons: Music by Simon Leclerc is on Sunday, April 13. Here, outstanding Québécois composer, arranger and conductor Simon Leclerc will regale with music performed by QUARTOM male vocal quartet, Musaïque female vocal quartet and singers from Voces Boreales.

Connie Kaldor will perform a special
post-festival free concert on April 19

The free, celebratory Après Festival Cabaret: Connie Kaldor on April 19 honours the award-winning women’s music pioneer’s 45 years of performing and her 18th album. Kaldor’s unique, funny and compelling songs and unforgettable storytelling promises a memorable concert.

Special workshops include the pre-festival Saturday, March 16 master class The Voice Across the Lifespan: Unveiling Medical and Technical Challenges; a live band sing-along concert/workshop- Dance and Sing with DNR; and Gospel and the Greater Good with Frédéricka Petit-Homme on Saturday, March 30.

Male vocal quartet QUARTOM will perform on Sunday, April 13

The mandate of Festival de la Voix is to bring a community of all ages and cultures together each year to celebrate the power and beauty of the human voice. Information about artists, concerts, workshops, ticket prices, festival passport and West Island venues is on the website: www.festivaldelavoix.com  For information: (514) 758-3641 [email protected]