La Nef: Eclecticism Refreshed

Advertisement / Publicité

This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en: Français (French)

Since its foundation in 1991, La Nef has been known for its innovative approach that combines ancient music, theatre and voice in productions that break disciplinary boundaries. Over the years, this vision has led to a unique artistic identity, melding tradition and modernity. The mission of La Nef is to explore different musical traditions, whether ancient, oral, contemporary or global, creating dialogue among them and combining them with other disciplines such as dance, the visual arts, video and digital arts. Its presentations appeal to varied audiences of all ages, and take the form of concerts, multimedia shows, albums and musical stories.

Claire Gignac
Photo: Lou Parisot Gignac

“Many artistic directors gravitate to La Nef from one year to another and suggest projects and guiding ideas. These evolve into productions that are unique, original and often multidisciplinary, with no equivalent elsewhere,” says General and Artistic Director Claire Gignac. Hence, the 2025-26 season is the culmination of ideas that have taken root years earlier.

Luths de classe is an intimate solo recital taking place Sept. 14 at Maison de la culture Maisonneuve, starring Sylvain Bergeron. This virtuoso player of the theorbo and archlute will entertain the audience with pieces from the Italian and German baroque. On Oct. 25, Très-Saint-Nom-de-Jésus church will host Fantômes et sorcières for a Halloween concert combining Quebec legends narrated by Francis Désilets and a cocktail of celebratory traditional music from the hurdy-gurdy to the great Casavant organ.

Projects by La Nef float and move according to the wind and its currents. So this fall, two shows will tour Quebec: on Oct. 11 and 12, Baratin d’marins, devised by Seán Dagher, will be the highlight of Festival La Virée Trad in Carleton-sur-Mer, Gaspésie. Also, the children’s musical tale Sous les eaux will have eight outings on the island of Montreal be-tween October 2025 and March 2026.

“Because each project is unique, we try to find a place to match it and make the most of it,” says Gignac. Thus, La Nef visits different ports year after year, and fixes its anchor ever-deeper in Montreal and Quebec, showing that there will always be room for creativity, innovation, courage and genre-mixing.