Nobody expected that the succession of Isolde Lagacé, who leaves the direction of the Bourgie hall after 12 years, is entrusted to a pair. It is indeed Caroline Louis and Olivier Godin, two musicians with profiles as rich as they are complementary, who will together take the reins of this central venue for classical music in Montreal.
Posted at 12:00 p.m.
The hiring process, which was launched last year, was originally intended to fill a single position. But the board of directors of the Arte Musica Foundation, which oversees Bourgie Hall, decided otherwise.
“When the hall opened 12 years ago, the average number of concerts was around 50 to 60 per year, and Isolde managed that at arm’s length during all that time. But there, it’s gone to 160 concerts, so for one person, it’s a lot. Isolde mentioned it when leaving, and the board was very sensitive to that. I think that at two, we will not be too many to manage such a number of concerts, ”explained Olivier Godin, who specifies that the number of 160 is not cast in stone for the future.
A seasoned accompanying pianist, the latter made a name for himself on record with the complete melodies of Fauré and Poulenc, which he recorded with several renowned singers at ATMA. He is also a coach sought-after vocalist, both at the Montreal Conservatory of Music and at McGill University.
Mr. Godin will be officially artistic director while his colleague Caroline Louis, former director of educational projects at the Orchester symphonique de Montréal and a graduate in musicology, piano and — shortly — in business administration, will act as general manager. But for the two musicians, it is clear that it will be a “direction with four hands”.
“We have the same ideas! Since the first meeting, there is one who says something and the other thinks the same thing”, rejoices the pianist and pedagogue.
Organizing concerts in a museum obviously implies a certain sensitivity to the visual arts, which does not pose a problem for Caroline Louis, an assiduous visitor to the Montreal institution who describes herself as “a great lover of the 20the century”, of pop art and street art, and Mr. Godin, who collects works by the Armenian painter Jean Jansem and cherishes Vermeer as much as German expressionism.
They will meet next week with the Director General of the Museum of Fine Arts, Stéphane Aquin, to establish a first contact. Then the two administrators will take office on June 13, in collaboration, initially, with Isolde Lagacé, who will ensure the transition until November 15.
“Big Challenge”
“There is a lot of observation to do first. But we have to dive into the programming fairly quickly, thank you. A season is planned two years in advance, so we are not ahead, let’s say, “concedes the artistic director, to whom Mme Lagacé wanted to give all the latitude possible, with the exception of a few postponements of concerts caused by the pandemic.
Even if they inherit a dynamic and well-established organization, the challenges will not be lacking. That of the general decrease in attendance at shows, accentuated by the pandemic, but already palpable, is one of them. Even Caroline Louis speaks of the “biggest challenge of the next few years”.
Lowering the average age will no doubt be part of the equation. But it is not won in advance.
Unfortunately, there is nothing left in primary schools for music. I don’t think I would be a musician today if I had had the training that is currently given in primary schools.
Olivier Godin
The educational component is considered central by the two colleagues, who have worked in this direction in recent years through their respective jobs. They also underscore, with one voice, the importance of showcasing young artists graduating from higher education establishments in the metropolis.
The pianist adds “that there is possibly a meeting to be had with people from the public, who have a lot to say in relation to their expectations. You will have to sit down with them and discuss to find out what they are comfortable with, what they like, etc. Because they are the ones who buy the concerts, who frequent the hall”.
And there is the pandemic, which has changed many things, especially with the offer of digital concerts. “We cannot ignore all this development that has taken place in the last two or three years,” admits the general manager.
In the meantime, they have their work cut out for them. “We have enough ideas for a lot of work! says Olivier Godin enthusiastically.