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Since its inception, Le Festival de la Voix has been dedicated to showcasing the beauty of the human voice, offering audiences a rich variety of vocal music from classical to jazz, folk, and world music. For its 12th edition, the festival continues to spotlight artistic diversity and meaningful cultural collaborations.
One of its highlights is Nikamu Mamuitun (Songs That Unite Us), a project uniting Indigenous and Quebecer singer-songwriters to explore shared histories and musical traditions by blending French and Innu lyrics to reinforce connection and reconciliation. Eight emerging artists will present the results of their work at the Beaconsfield High School, École secondaire Dorval-Jean XXlll and Polyvalente Ste-Thérèse.
“In the last two years, the concert has enjoyed great success, and we believe in its educational value,” said Kerry-Anne Kutz, the festival’s founder and artistic director. “Songs like Regarde-moi dans le blanc des yeux emphasize themes of recognition and mutual respect, while Ça prend tout un village speaks to the communal spirit of raising a child—a concept deeply embedded in Innu culture.”
“Last year, we had tremendous help from the Ministry of Culture and Communication and the Azrieli Foundation,” Kutz said while she lamented that the support has dwindled this year, but expressed continued commit
David Marino
ment to presenting this work. “If it changes one person’s perception of First Nations communities, then it’s worth it.”
The festival also offers an array of inspiring concerts and workshops including the ethereal harmonies of Voces Boreales 8 (VB8) in Il était 8 fois or a chance to swing along with the Festival de la Voix Big Band, led by Ron di Lauro and featuring star vocalists Sharon Azrieli and David Marino. Singer-songwriter Lavanya Narasiah and the Dharani Project will blend East Indian melodies with global rhythms, following the Ensemble de violoncelles de Montréal.
Carolyn Christie. Photo Curtis Perry
Linda Morrison leads a Celtic Song Workshop, while children can delight in a morning of storytelling and music by Selina Ann, Michael Woytiuk, Mike Cartile, and Kutz herself. Carolyn Christie, flutist with Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, will share insights on performance anxiety, followed by the L’atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. The festival concludes with the female vocal quartet Musaïque, celebrating Quebec and Canadian music in Pour l’amour de la musique.
Despite the challenges, Kutz’s passion remains. “We all talk about how important reconciliation is,” she says, “but action is what matters. Music has the power to bring people together, and that’s what this festival is all about.”
12th Festival de la Voix, April 4-27.
www.festivaldelavoix.com
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
