The International Festival of Saint-Lizier in Couserans continues its expansion, worthy of its venerable age. Already in its 40th year, oldest festival of the Midi-Pyrénées region, Saint-Lizier owes its longevity to several factors, not least of which, its remarkable site. The region teems with architectural gems, each more beautiful than the next, but few can rival Saint-Lizier for its intimate charm. Crowned by the sixteenth-century Episcopal palace, this veritable sleeping beauty is gradually awakening to the sounds of the Festival events taking place in its halls and in the superbly restored cathedral, Notre-Dame de la Sède inaugurated this July.
Arriving at the helm of this irresistible festival, my first concern was to put Saint-Lizier at the service of the younger generation, allowing them, as did Rudolf Serkin in Marlboro, to share the stage with their elders in the repertoire of chamber music. Our objective today is to include the audience in the learning curve, to deepen their music appreciation as they follow the evolution of the score from apprenticeship to mastery and public performance.
We are celebrating this major birthday with notable guests, namely the Festival de Prades, Piano aux Jacobins, the Bozar in Brussels, the Maria Canals Competition of Barcelona and Jazz in Marciac with whom we built an extraordinary programme of coproductions. As part of the festivities, I also wanted to shine a spotlight, in our regular series of Stars of Tomorrow, on the Russian school, ever prevalent worldwide. That their vitality be a lesson for us!
It is indeed impossible to cite all our guest artists. Please peruse the programme with care I present you with great pride.
David Lively
artistic director
© Association Austriart – Festival de Saint-Lizier en Couserans
