Just imagine the scene. Between 150 and 300 people are gathered in a church lit by candles. A string quartet performs, one evening, The four Seasons by Vivaldi. The next day, the greatest hits of the group ABBA. The day after, a potpourri of the best film music. A worldwide phenomenon from Spain, Candlelight evenings exceed 500 performances in Montreal alone.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
Born in Madrid in 2019, before reaching the rest of the world, the Candlelight concept is multiplying in a hundred cities all over the planet, including Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
You may have witnessed Fever’s social media hype. Some people even doubted the veracity of the concerts. “We advertised during the pandemic when the halls were closed, for concerts planned several months later, so people were perhaps skeptical,” explains Alexandre Boccardi, events manager in Canada. “As soon as we started, they saw that it was serious. »
Depending on the time of year and the desired repertoire, the public can sit at Christ Church Cathedral, on the terrace of Hotel 10, in the Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours chapel, at Notre- Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs or the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Candle-lit concert at Christ Church Cathedral
“We’re not necessarily aiming for religious places, but since our concerts are intended to be a multi-sensory experience, we chose places whose architecture was interesting and whose acoustics lent themselves well to concerts,” says Mr. Boccardi.
crazy rhythm
The very first Candlelight concert in Montreal took place in September 2020, at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, in an evening combining the fine dishes of a starred chef and the music of Four Seasons by Vivaldi.
“It was supposed to be a one-time deal, but then we knew it was a test to see how Montreal would react,” says concertmaster Julien Oberson.
When the rooms reopened in March 2021, we were offered to play for 10 days, without knowing that it would have such an impact for so long.
Julien Oberson, first violin
Indeed, the quartet plays 10 times a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, although some concerts are given by a pianist or a soprano. “It’s very formative, in the sense that you have to perform 10 times at the same level each week,” says the musician. We can’t afford to be tired and play less well one evening. It is very demanding for the body and the mind. »
From Vivaldi to Celine Dion
Fortunately, the repertoire is very varied. Evening after evening, the public can discover the classic version of the songs of Adele, Queen or Celine Dion, the best of the composer of soundtracks Hans Zimmer (Gladiator, InterstellarPirates of the Caribbean) and the essential From Bach to the Beatles.
“The mix of pop and classical opens the door to people who are less familiar with classical, but who discover our versions of music they appreciate, before going, perhaps, one day, to discover the concerts of great symphony orchestras”, wishes Julien Oberson.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
A candlelit concert in Montreal
Her favorite night? That of ABBA, without the slightest hesitation! “My whole childhood was rocked by their music and the arrangements the company sent us were well done. It’s not always the case. Sometimes we have to rework them before playing them in front of people. »
On occasion, Montreal musicians launch suggestions for repertoires, such as tributes to Celine Dion and the group ABBA, as well as an evening devoted to folk music and a concert highlighting LGBTQ+ Pride Week.
However, it is not easy to convince Fever, the international machine behind Candlelight. “If they’re not sure it’s going to sell, it’s more complex to launch,” says the musician. Surprisingly, the Celine Dion evening hasn’t been as popular as we thought for the moment, even if the people there love the concert. »
A concept that can run out of steam?
According to the violinist, how long can success in the metropolis last? “I have the impression that we could continue for a long time, but at a probably less intense pace, he replies. Especially since we plan to add new programs, such as Mozart’s Requiem and rock classics in September. »
The representative of The Press attended concerts devoted to the music of Hans Zimmer, ABBA and several successful soundtracks. After only a few minutes of this music enveloped by the beauty of the place and the magic of (fake) candles, he had tears in his eyes. If he noticed some lack of synchronism, slight hiccups, slips and rare false notes, he nevertheless savored the three evenings and took advantage of the overall good performance of the quartet.