Three of the famous Suites for cello of J.S. Bach played by Noémi Boutin, interlaced in the extraordinary juggleries of Jörg Müller, outstanding Circassian artist who reconciles a pure physical performance with theatre, dance and contemporary art.

Sarabande is a triptych rhythmed by the famous Suites for Cello of J.S Bach, No. 1, 3, and 5 from where the cellist expresses delicacy and elegance. Her music comes to embrace around three living pictures performed by the tightrope walker and dancer Jörg Müller. In the first picture, Jorg holds his balance with manipulating a candle lit and putting at the end of a pole. The frail and unstable flame asserts its soft vitality despite its fragility. Then, he flies a merry-go-round of suspended tubes. We contemplate them to spin, to touch, to live together without ever disrupting this merry dance. Finally, it is in the fifth continuation for harmonies so intense and deep as the meeting arrives at its peak.

From now on, it is the musician who is suspended, her fragility of interpreter aggravated by the air vaulting which the juggler breathes. And every time, he “turns into pictures” this mesmerizing Sarabande of Bach.

Jean-Christophe Cholet Piano// Alban Darche Saxophone// Stephane Kerecki Double Bass// Christophe Lavergne Drums.

Jean-Christophe Cholet and special guests will interpret jazz classics to delight everyone. Performers also include Alban Darche on the saxophone, Stephane Kerecki on the double bass and Christophe Lavergne on the drums.

Jean-Christophe Cholet Piano & Composition// Alban Darche Saxophones & Composition// Nathalie Darche Piano// Pascal Vandenbulcke Flutes// Jean-Louis Pommier Trombone// Matthieu Donarier Saxophones & Clarinets// Olivier Laisney Trumpet// Marie-Violaine Cadoret Violin & Alto// Mathias Quilbault Tuba// Christophe Lavergne Drums// Stéphane Kerecki Double Bass

An original piece that takes its inspiration from French composer Francis Poulenc’s work and to build him a “tombeau” (grave), just like what Maurice Ravel did for Couperin. The line-up of La Diagonale du Cube enables the performers to create the sound of a jazz orchestra as well as that of a concertino for two pianos and orchestra.

Eric Le Lann Trumpet// Paul Lay Piano// Sylvain Romano Double Bass// Donald Kontomanou Drums

French jazz trumpeter Eric Le Lann will perform with Paul Lay on piano, Sylvain Romano on double bass and Donald Kontomanou on drums in tribute to the famous French singer and songwriter Edith Piaf and Charles Trenet. Each musician will perform an improvisation of the songs to show their nique interpretations of these French classics.

The Opera Society of Hong Kong’s “Opera Fever Six” Concert presents a concert of musical & opera educational program to showcase our passionate singers and young professionals “Tribute” to Le French May 2018. The opera repertoire is rich and fiery – singers of opera could hardly quench their fever of singing by singing more. In this concert, we will highlight favorite French operatic arias and excerpts from all time famous works. A relaxed and enjoyable evening for the audience.

Viennese Legacy concert series span a two-year period, celebrating the contributions of illustrious composers to the chamber music repertoire. These composers from Vienna were pioneers in Romanticism and their compositions gained huge popularity in France in the 19th century. Mozart visited and performed in Paris when he was a prodigy. But Beethoven and Schubert were only well-recognised some years after their death. This opening concert of the series pays tribute to these great composers for their musical influence in France.

Chanson Musical recalls an iconic French cabaret singer’s legendary life

Conceived and directed by the Nice-based theatrical maverick Gil Marsalla and starring Anne Carrere, a young French performer hailed as “Edith Piaf’s legitimate musical heiress”, La Vie en Rose, is a tribute to “The Swallow of Montmartre” and was inspired by the award-winning movie La Vie En Rose. In two 45-minute acts, the show narrates the rags-to-riches story of the Parisian singer’s career through her unforgettable songs, complemented by a visual tapestry of previously unreleased photographs and images of famous Parisian locations of the Edith Piaf era.

Anne Carrere, a native of South of France, famous by her artistic skills and natural charisma, began her stage career in her early teens, after studying voice, acting, and a variety of dance styles at the renowned art school Salon-de-Provence. She also followed classical musical training, playing flute and piano. She very soon specialised her art in traditional French chanson.

Step into Saxiland and revel in a new sound world as Habanera, France’s leading saxophone quartet, joins forces with City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong for an exhilarating evening of French, Turkish and Tangoinspired music. The programme features the Romance of Ferran’s Saxiland, the smoky, sexy tones of Piazzolla’s Three Pieces for Chamber Orchestra, and Fazil Say’s exotic Four Preludes for saxophone quartet and strings. A must-hear concert!

Habanera Saxophone Quartet
Habanera is France’s leading saxophone quartet. Formed in 1993, the group comprises four outstanding saxophone graduates from the Paris Conservatoire and the class of the internationally acclaimed saxophone virtuoso Claude Delangle. The quartet has won as many as eight First Prizes at international chamber music competitions around the world including Bordeaux, Sanguinetto, Düsseldorf and Osaka. Habanera performs regularly in France and all around the world in Japan, China, USA, Canada and Europe.

Named “Révélation Soliste Instrumental de l’Année” at the 2014 Victoires de la Musique Classique, Adrien La Marca has established himself as one of the most exciting rising stars in the classical music scene. Having performed in prestigious venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin and Concertgebouw Amsterdam, La Marca has made appearances at renowned festivals including the Verbier, Schubertiade, La Roque d’Anthéron, Aix-en-Provence and Ravinia.

In 2010, he was selected by Gidon Kremer to perform alongside Kremer, András Schiff and Yuri Bashmet at “Chamber Music Connects the World”. Winner of the “Best Interpretation of the Walton Concerto” prize at the prestigious 13th International William Primrose Competition, La Marca will be playing Walton’s Viola Concerto with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

Currently Music Director of Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the Brevard Music Center in the USA, Hong Kong conductor Ken Lam returns to delight Le French May audience with this exquisite programme.

Programme
Pierre-Yves Macé
Contre-flux I – Muzak Codex for Orchestra (world première)
Commissioned by Hong Kong Sinfonietta & Orchestre de Chambre de Paris

Tchaikovsky
Suite No 4 in G, Op 61, “Mozartiana”

Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor, Op 37