 |
3rd September 2010
|
 Uzerche Festival 2010Fantastic concerts and exhibitions right here in Limousin Uzerche, midway between Brive and Limoges in the Corrèze, is about to come alive again this August. Not that it's been hybernating its way through the long winter months. Far from it. This newly-elected Plus Beaux Détours de France – one of a hundred French towns awarded with this distinction – is gearing itself up to launch its fourth annual classical music festival – the Festival de Musique d'Uzerche from the 20th to 23rd August. 
'The Hills are Alive' Will Brookes> John Bethell, thank you for taking time out to speak to us. Tell us, why Uzerche? How did you discover it and how did you come to create a festival there? It was on my first visit to Uzerche whilst visiting a good friend, the British composer, Roger Steptoe, and visiting the Abbatiale Saint-Pierre. An idea struck me that here would be a wonderful venue and town to hold a festival similar to that which I have directed in Latour de France, near Perpignan in the southwest of France, for the past eighteen years. Both Roger and I discussed the possibility with the Mayoress, Sophie Dessus, and other officials in the marie. They gave their support to me as the Director. After two successful festivals it was necessary for us to set up an official Association in Uzerche which has now happened. Marie-Françoise Flageolet, one of the deputy mayors and responsible for tourism and culture, is thePrésidente. There has been an amazingly huge amount of good will and support for the local businesses and the community itself. 'Bring in the Jesters!' WB: What is a festival? Can you give us any tips for a successful formula? I believe festivals of any sort breathe a new life into the local area. And, as in Uzerche, they bring artists together with limited rehearsal times. Since pagan times the traditional way of celebrating has been to hold a festival. Kings, lords or the favourite son just home from smiting the infidel, or triumphant from a bear hunt, or monks from a pilgrimage..... they all get out the wine, the food, bring in the jesters, run out the tumblers and cue the jugglers! It’s a habit we’ve never got out of. In recent years throughout the world we've witnessed more and more of such festivals. Of course they've grown and been refined to become almost an art-form in itself. Music is a dominating theme but there's more and more drama, comedy, dance and visual art and, increasing popular among organisers and their sponsors, opera. I stongly like to think that the festivals I direct are, if possible, a mix of those events I've just mentioned. Since 2007 Uzerche has experienced an eclectic mix of opera, chamber music, traditional Indian music, opera excerpts, recitals and exhibitions especially designed to encourage the support of the younger people of Uzerche and hopefully an interest in the festival itself. We even have a sung Mass each year bringing in some 300 worshippers. That goes down well with the church and Monsieur le Curé! WB: What has the festival brought to Uzerche? All that I can say is that over the past three years I've seen more support from the Marie, from the commercial groups in Uzerche and loud vocal support from its people. 'From small beginnings' WB: Can you tell us something about the success of your festival planning? My festival in the Isle of Man - the Mananan Summer Festival - is now in its thirty-sixth year and remains one of the most prestigous festivals of its kind in the British Isles. As our Patron, the emminent international pianist, Stephen Hough, says in his message for this year, ''Again in 2010 we are presenting unarguably the most varied and imaginative fare of any small festival in the British Isles''. And with my second festival at Latour from small beginnings it has, over eighteen years, developed into a very varied “small” festival held in the region of the Pyrénées-Orientales. 'The world can and will be our oyster!'' WB: How do you see the Uzerche Festival developing? I would hope that more support will be given from around Uzerche to what I believe will become a major annual event in the calendar of the Limousin. Much of this will of course only happen if financial support continues from the Marie and the local councils and funding bodies and an imput from the local business-men and companies. The world is then our oyster to attract major artists to perform at our festival 'Teething problems' WB: Are there certain things that work better than others? Is it trial and error? At the present it's trail and error. Don't forget I think every child has to experiment growing up. And we're only four! French Entrée Limousin would like to Thank John Bethell, your giving us so much of his valuable valuable time. I'm sure all French Entrée readers wish you and the team an excellent 2010 festival. We are certainly, look forward to dropping in on one of the concerts later in August. 4th Uzerche Music Festival |
Why Not Use The Power of French Entrée Limousin to Advertise Your Holiday Rental Property
 You can add your holiday rental to our gite database on line and reach thousands of prospective customers every month. Why not contact us to find out about our 2 for 1 offers on holiday rental advertising and premium package options
Balladins Hotel Limoges
Air conditioned rooms from just €28
 Whether you are house hunting, holidaying, visiting friends & family, on business or looking for a quick stopover. Balladins offer, a warm welcome, comfortable, air conditioned bedrooms, on line booking in English , free wifi, reduced mobility access, T.V. and much more
     Sail shades not only keep you cool they look fantastic...
.jpg)     Check out Videos of the regionCanoeing on the River Dordogne
Click here to see full size clip Strawberry Fair, Beaulieu sur Dordogne Click here to see full size clip Oradour sur Glane Village of Martyrs Click here to see full size clip 
|
Winner of the Uzerche Festival Prize at the March 2010 Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, Erin Arts Centre, Isle of Man. The amazing Cristals Bachet, French instruments extraordinaire. An original evening.
Formée à Kiev, à l'Ecole de Lysenko, puis à l'Academie musicale nationale Tchaikovsky avec Irina Barinova et Igor Riabov, Natacha Kudritskaya integre le CNSM de Paris dans la classe d'Alain Planès en 2003. En 2007 elle obtient son Diplôme avec une mention très bien à l'unanimité du jury au recital du prix de piano. Elle est admise en cycle de perfectionnement en septembre de la même année dans la classe de Jacques Rouvier. Dans le cadre d’un partenariat avec le Conservatoire de Paris elle travaille avec Stefan Vladar pendant un semestre à l'Université de musique à Vienne. Depuis septembre 2009 elle suit les cours avec Henri Barda à l’école Normale de Paris.
Né en 1989, Adrien La Marca débute la musique à l’âge de six ans au Conservatoire d’Aix-en-Provence. Il remporte en 2005 le 1er prix du concours national des jeunes altistes à Lille; la même année, il est admis au Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris dans la classe de Jean Sulem. Parallèlement, il est invité au cours de l'été 2008 à prendre part à l’International Music Academy – Switzerland de Seiji Ozawa où il travaille avec Robert Mann, Pamela Franck, Nobuko Imaï, Sadao Harada et Seiji Ozawa. Il étudie depuis 2009 avec Tatjana Masurenko à Leipzig dans le cadre d’un échange Erasmus.