La Nef: Let the Spirits Awake

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At nightfall, in the enveloping darkness of a Montreal church, shadows lengthen and the air becomes charged with mystery. It is in this Halloween atmosphere, somewhere between unease and fascination, that Fantômes et sorcières (Ghosts and Witches), the new musical tale from La Nef, is scheduled to unfold on Oct. 25. From the very first chords, the audience is invited to dive into a fantastical universe where werewolves, witches, will-o’-the-wisps, and wandering spirits intersect—a journey to the border between reality and the supernatural, cradled by a Quebec oral tradition.

“The show originated with an invitation from the Maison de la culture Maisonneuve, who wanted us to showcase the grand Casavant organ at Très-Saint-Nom-de-Jésus church. As a result, the organ plays a central role in the show,” says Music Director Seán Dagher. He enthusiastically accepted the challenge, drawing resonances from this monumental instrument that vibrate the body as much as the imagination. Alongside Francis Désilets, author, storyteller, and singer, the artistic team came to life: Kate Bevan-Baker on violin, Jean-Sébastien LeBlanc on clarinet, Ben Grossman on hurdy-gurdy and percussion, Amanda Keesmaat on cello, and Christophe Gauthier on organ.

The show draws heavily on the evocative power of storytelling, from tales of millers who believe neither in God nor the Devil, to young women accused of witchcraft, fleeing at night to join the Sabbath on Île d’Orléans. Here, songs from Quebec’s oral tradition are mixed with a wild baroque repertoire on the organ, and eerie accompaniments. But the audacity doesn’t stop there: “In the tale, there is a leitmotif associated with a character when he appears. I’m going to work on composing a fugue based on the leitmotif, in collaboration with Christophe Gauthier,” says Dagher. The cittern player likes to involve artists in the creative process; everyone becomes a stakeholder, adding their own touch to the final product.

The result becomes much more than a performance; it is a celebration of Quebec’s cultural heritage, of its stories intimately linked to nature, mystery, and the supernatural—all in a generous acoustic setting. With Fantômes et sorcières, the company hopes not only to transport audiences into the realm of witches of the night, but also to connect them to their roots with a renewed sense of cultural and artistic pride.