Bourgie Hall — New Season, New Directors

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The new duo at the helm of Bourgie Hall—Caroline Louis, general director, and Olivier Godin, artistic director—have announced the 2023-24 program. The focus will be on new concepts that convey their vision for future development and the challenges to be met. More than 160 arts-related events are planned, including over 100 chamber music recitals, old and contemporary music, jazz and world music.

“We’ll continue to respect the Bourgie hallmark by including baroque chamber music and presenting great international artists,” say the two directors. They will also give priority to vocal music, specifically lieder and art song with piano. We’ll look forward to hearing Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux in the recital “Divine Duos.”

The two directors are pianists, and point out that this emphasis on piano recitals makes sense in Montreal with its international piano competition, the quality of its piano teaching and its internationally known piano virtuosi. So the program includes the wide-ranging series “Exceptional Pianists” with names such as Charles Richard-Hamelin, Eric Lu, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, André Laplante, Bruce Liu and Michelle Cann.

Another new aspect of the season involves events reflecting national and international social concerns: a celebration of the Day of Truth and Reconciliation; a tribute to Iranian women; support for Ukraine; and more.

Quatuor Ligeti

Ligeti Festival

This series of tributes to great composers is devoted to the works of such people as Théodore Dubois, Fauré, Rachmaninoff and Oscar Peterson. The Ligeti Festival will celebrate the centenary of the Hungarian composer György Ligeti. There will also be a focus on premières and the contemporary repertoire, with a tribute to composer and organist Rachel Laurin. She will be in residence at Bourgie Hall, supported by the virtuoso organist Isabelle Demers with her students at McGill’s Schulich School of Music. In this vein, educational activities and support for up-and-coming musicians will be at the forefront of the Bourgie program. These will be in collaboration with higher education partners.

Caroline Louis and Olivier Godin are proud to work for the most popular venue in Quebec, which is also where they had their musical education. They are aware of their prime duty, which is to use imagination to meet the challenges facing the music world and to keep attracting new audiences.