Press Release - [Evian - February 2012]

MUSICAL INTERLUDES - 12th edition

Grange au Lac - Evian - 25 to 27 May 2012

Now in their 12th year, the Evian Musical Interludes, which take place in the stunning Grange au Lac auditorium and are orchestrated by artistic director Laurence Dale, offers an truly romantic programme on the theme of « The Art of Loving », just prior to the opening of an exhibition at the Palais Lumière [Evian] on the same theme. For the first time, 2012 sees the creation of the Evian Festival Orchestra, the Interludes' own orchestra, composed of talented musicians from all over the world who auditioned specially for this formation.

That noble feeling of Love will be in the air on the opening evening conducted by Laurence DALE, conjured up via the emblematic works of Wagner and Rachmaninoff [piano concerto n°2], performed by French virtuoso François WEIGEL, who is back on stage following his success with 'Rhapsody in Blue' by Gershwin with the Suisse Romande National Orchestra. The venue's almost perfect acoustics will lend a special quality to this romantic programme with the final page of the evening taken from the works of English musician Edward Elgar.

Thanks to the exceptional presence of internationally renowned Chinese percussionist LI BIAO, the Interludes promise to be unforgettable, eclectic, innovative and upbeat. He will perform with his own group « Li Biao & Friends », considered to be one of the best percussion ensembles in the world, playing a selection of great classics, popular tunes and rhythms from his home country.

The closing evening is entirely dedicated to the great Russian romantics conducted by Vincent de KORT on the theme of Passionate Love and the famous legend of the Verona lovers reinterpreted by Prokofiev and performed by young pianist Nikolaï TOKAREV. The evening will come to a close with the most virtuoso of piano concertos by Rachmaninoff, concerto n° 3 for piano, and the monumental work by Shostakovitch, « Symphony n°10 ».

When « fine music » comes together with the Evian Resort's expertise in terms of hospitality, perfection and art of living... a musical springtime filled with moments to remember awaits those visiting the shores of Lake Geneva.

Special « Music Packages » offer the opportunity to take advantage of all facilities, at one's own pace and in the best possible conditions for an exceptional stay at the Royal or Ermitage hotel, golfing or spa treatments during the day and a grand concert in the evening in the forest-like setting of the Grange au Lac.

Programme...

JAMAIS 2 SANS... - Friday 25 May - 8.30 p.m. (with interval)                           

Evian Festival Orchestra

Conductor: Laurence Dale

Pianist: François Weigel

. Overture The Master Singers of Nuremberg by Richard Wagner

. Piano concerto n°2 in C minor, opus 18 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

. Symphony n°2 in E flat major, opus 63 by Sir Edward Elgar

RHYTHM AND EMOTION - Saturday 26 May - 8.30 p.m. (with interval)                           

LI BIAO and friends - ???From Bach to Future"

Philipp Jungk

Ronni Wenzell

Alex Gloeggler

Claudrio Estay

GREAT RUSSIAN ROMANTICS - Sunday 27 May - 8.30 p.m. (with interval)                           

Evian Festival Orchestra

Conductor: Vincent de Kort

Piano: Nikolaï Tokarev 

. Romeo and Juliet (extracts) by Sergei Prokofiev

. Piano concerto n°3 in D minor, opus 30 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

. Symphony n°10 in E minor, opus 93 by Dimitri Shostakovitch

The Musical Interludes welcome secondary school pupils and students from local music schools at the Grange au Lac to watch the Evian Festival Orchestra rehearse with Laurence Dale on Friday 25 May at 2.30 p.m. This public rehearsal is also open to ticket holders for the concert on Friday 25 May, subject to available seats.

Press Office: Karine Zégrir +33 (0)4 50 26 96 88 -  [email protected]

Press kit and visuals on request

www.evianresort.com