Bogota Colombia | It was the opening night for the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra on Thursday night in Bogota. This number one concert of the Stradivarius tour in Vienna marks the beginning of the first-ever tour outside of Canada for the ensemble, which has been conducted by Alexandre Da Costa since 2019.
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Feverish and excited, the musicians of the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra played to an enthusiastic audience at the famous Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo in Bogota, the country’s most important theater.
“I’ve been pinching myself since we got to Bogota,” said violinist Solange Bouchard, who has been part of the orchestra for 25 years. We never thought we would tour South America! It was Alexandre Da Costa who made this possible. »
Photo Sarah Emilie Nault
Many spectators came to the concert of the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra in Bogotá.
After touring the city and rehearsing alone in their respective hotel rooms on Wednesday and Thursday mornings (thanks to sound absorbers on their instruments), the 33 musicians of the orchestra were able to complete their dress rehearsal at the famous Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo a few hours before the big premiere.
A representative hall
“It’s an honor to play here because I know that it’s difficult for an orchestra to get involved there,” explains Alexandre Da Costa, who performed there for the first time as a guest soloist in September 2019. It’s a kind of guarantee of quality, because when you walk past here, you’ll be greeted by the other theaters. Their international concerts are also popular and many people here love the violin. »
Not to mention that one of the most prestigious theaters in South America was built 12 years ago following a modern acoustic study that allows classical music to be performed without amplification.
“The room is an instrument in itself, with the Stradivari it is simply wonderful,” the conductor continues. Several stars of classical music have performed at this renowned theatre, including Maxime Venguerov, Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra and our dear Kent Nagano.
Photo courtesy of Marc Dussault
The OSL performed at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo in Bogota.
It is also this theater that has offered virtual international concerts during the pandemic, including a concert conducted by a certain… Alexandre Da Costa!
Stradivari in Vienna
Baptized Stradivarius in Vienna, the 42-year-old soloist and conductor from Montreal conducts this two-hour concert. Because yes, the conductor plays and conducts the orchestra with his prestigious 1701 Stradivarius violin. And he does it with fervor and passion!
Why Vienna? In fact, this program, proposed by Da Costa when he was appointed director of the orchestra, is, in his opinion, the best “play and conduct” program (the “standing violin” conducting technique he uses). Also because this more classic first contact, which people know well, allows the Maestro to later return to South America with more daring proposals à la Da Costa. Finally, because Vienna is a heart city for the maestro, who studied there with the last true master of the “steh geiger” (standing violin), Johannes Wildner.
The concert consists of pieces that have shaped the musical history of Vienna, from Mozart to Strauss, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Franz Lehar, Fritz Kreisler with the Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasy and Johann Strauss. And one last piece entirely from Quebec: J’t’aime comme un fou by Robert Charlebois in a stunning pop-classic version that only maestro Alexandre Da Costa can deliver.
Sightseeing tour of Bogota
Photo courtesy of Martine Cardinal
The musicians of the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra were able to visit the old town of Bogotá. The 11.3-million-strong Colombian capital boasts the first female mayor to publicly declare herself gay. 40% of the city is green, alternating with parks and forests. Bikes are kings here too, with more than 500km of cycle paths.
A famous room
Photo courtesy of Marc Dussault
Built 12 years ago, the renowned Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo in Bogota offers space for 1,303 spectators on three levels. Its exterior impresses with its impeccable color and surprises with its modern and sleek architecture. In addition to this theater, where the greatest classical music is heard, the Julio Mario Santo Domingo Cultural Center houses a public library and a second theater, the Teatro Estudio.
soprano and philanthropist
Photo courtesy of Marc Dussault
The Longueuil Symphony Orchestra has invited Quebec soprano Sharon Azrieli to take part in its tour. The internationally acclaimed soloist, known for her leading operatic roles, is also a philanthropist and heiress to the Azrieli Group’s real estate fortune. She will perform The Merry Widow – The Exquisite Hour by Franz Lehar and Paris Violon by French composer, musician, pianist, singer and arranger Michel Legrand.