Monaco is bringing together two of its established musical traditions under a new festival, Résonance, which will transform five of the Principality’s churches and chapels into concert venues for eight free performances between 24th November and 10th December.

Organised by Monaco’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the festival combines the International Organ Festival with the Principality’s baroque music concerts, offering a programme spanning centuries of sacred music, from Renaissance compositions to contemporary works.

Corsican voices open the festival

The opening concert at Monaco Cathedral will feature Ensemble Tavagna, known for its Corsican polyphonic singing, accompanied by organist Viviane Loriaut-Damiani on the cathedral’s Grand Organ.

Another highlight will commemorate the centenary of the birth of celebrated French organist Marie-Claire Alain. Three of her former students, Liesbeth Schlumberger, Bruno Mathieu and Thierry Mechler, will perform works associated with her repertoire, accompanied by illustrated commentary from her daughter, Aurélie Delcourt.

Alice in Wonderland brings music to younger audiences

Families will have their own introduction to the festival on Wednesday 9th December, when the Church of the Sacred Heart hosts a narrated and illustrated concert inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

The performance, beginning at 5pm, is designed to introduce younger audiences to organ music through storytelling.

Elsewhere in the programme, organist Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin and narrator Pauline Choplin will present Voici l’Homme – Ecce Homo, a musical reading exploring the biblical scene in which Pontius Pilate presents Christ to the crowd.

From Renaissance England to Bach

At Sainte-Dévote Church, violinist Ugo Gianotti and organist Emmanuel Arakélian will explore the expressive Stylus Phantasticus style through works by Austrian composer Johann Heinrich Schmelzer.

The Jacques Moderne Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Joël Suhubiette, will perform Hear the Voice – Tears of London at Saint-Charles Church, drawing on English Renaissance compositions by William Byrd and John Dowland.

Trumpeter Robin Paillet and organist Jean-Baptiste Robin will also revive the traditional trumpet-and-organ pairing with a programme of 20th- and 21st-century works.

The festival will conclude at the Chapel of Mercy with Ovni Baroque, Cantata à 2, featuring violinist Emmanuelle Dauvin and soprano Heather Newhouse in an intimate interpretation of music by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Free admission across five venues

Résonance will take place at Monaco Cathedral, the Church of the Sacred Heart, Saint-Charles Church, Sainte-Dévote Church and the Chapel of Mercy.

All concerts begin at 8pm, except the family performance on 9th December, which starts at 5pm.

Admission is free, subject to availability. The full programme and practical information are available at www.festivalresonance.com.

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department