News

Voix croisées brings together new music, poetry and the tradition of mélodie in a concert centred on connection and encounter. Pianist Rosane Lajoie, joined by soprano Brittany Rae and composers Olivier Saint-Pierre and Louis-Michel Tougas, brings together voice, piano and texts by poet and novelist Paul Kawczak. A project born of friendship and artistic affinities, it seeks to reclaim the intimacy of mélodie while renewing the genre for today.

Could you tell us how the project came about?

Rosane Lajoie: The Voix croisées project grew above all out of encounters and friendships, but also from a desire—I would even go so far as to call it a necessity—to make music and create within one’s own community. Louis-Michel, Olivier and I all trained at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. As composers, Louis-Michel and Olivier share strong aesthetic affinities and had already collaborated on a first project: an album with the Quatuor Mémoire.

As for me, I have been devoted to the repertoire of mélodie and Lied for more than ten years, and I had long been looking for an experienced singer with whom I could explore contemporary repertoire and new creation. I met Brittany through a mutual friend. I immediately discovered an exceptional musical partner: an outstanding voice and musician, but also a performer with the curiosity and openness that are so essential to the creative process, and who is eager to embark enthusiastically on all kinds of musical explorations.

The friendships behind the project also extend to the author of the texts, novelist and poet Paul Kawczak, a longtime friend of Olivier’s. Music is at the heart of their connection: a shared curiosity, broad and eclectic tastes, and many evenings spent digging through Paul’s vinyl collection. In fact, Paul had heard Olivier play the organ even before they met. He was therefore already familiar with Olivier’s musical world and had heard several of his works, including his string quartet, which was presented at the launch of the album Olivier and Louis-Michel created together.

Voix croisées brings the tradition of mélodie into dialogue with new music. What particularly interests you about this dialogue?

Rosane Lajoie: When I initiated this project, my desire was to bring new life to the genre of mélodie for voice and piano, which has been somewhat neglected by the avant-garde, but above all to create