From June 23 to July 3, the Scheldevallei was the place to be for a new music festival centered on nature and sustainability. This took place under the banner of Festival van Vlaanderen Gent. Veerle Simoens and her team keep their finger on the pulse, respond to current events, and always manage to bring something special. Meandering through the landscape, STROOM guided the audience on an eleven-day musical journey of discovery. Each day featured a large outdoor concert, intimate musical experience, or sustainable discourse in a different city or municipality between Antwerpen and Gent.
There's no accounting for taste. Towards my home base, masses of music lovers headed to Rock Werchter and Paradise City. I went in search of music with fewer decibels and more emotional depth. The gardens of Kasteel d'Ursel proved the ideal setting for this musical feast. For four centuries, this was the residence of the noble d'Ursel family. Now it forms part of the patrimony of the province of Antwerpen and the estate is open for all kinds of festivities.
Le Concert de l'Hostel Dieu
Le Concert de l'Hostel Dieu is musically active throughout Europe. The ensemble was founded in 1992 in Lyon by Franck-Emmanuel Comte. They dedicate most of their activities to baroque repertoire. They play primarily on period instruments and attempt to bring each score as authentically as possible while still giving it their own touch. Transposing the richness and diversity of baroque music to our time is one of their most important artistic axes.
Afternoon Concert - Vivaldi and the Four Elements
"The four elements of ancient Greek philosophy: water, earth, air, and fire are insufficient to explain all natural phenomena. The alchemists added a fifth element or 'quintessence' to it," explains the presenter. For conductor and harpsichordist Franck-Emmanuel Comte, the fifth element is undoubtedly: la folie — zany energy. According to Aristotle's motto: "There is no great genius without a touch of madness." With rousing songs, instrumental variations, and dances from France, Spain, Italy, and Latin America, and internationally celebrated Canadian soprano Heather Newhouse who treated the audience to vocal fireworks in several accessible arias by Vivaldi and his contemporaries, alongside a few spirited instrumental works, it was pure enjoyment.
With the opening 'Su la cetra amorosa' by Tarquinio Merula, soprano Heather Newhouse immediately delivered an impressive and striking display of her abilities. A sublime playlist had been compiled. Voice and instruments dialogue in perfect harmony, flow together in a shared color, or compete virtuously to express all the musical richness. The main body of work was by Vivaldi, but Henry de Bailly and Antonio Sartorio also featured, along with some anonymous pieces in a mix of naughty, yearning, to serious. Heather Newhouse's precision is impressive. She possesses an incredibly agile voice and is an expressive interpreter; together with the select musicians, a golden combination.
Framework
Not only the four elements were engaged, but the senses were also richly pampered. After the concert, the audience could enjoy a delightful afternoon tea in the summer bar. Definitely worth repeating.
WHAT: Vivaldi and the Four Elements — STROOM, Festival in the Scheldevallei
WHO: Le Concert de l'Hostel Dieu (Heather Newhouse [Soprano], Emmanuella Dauvin [violin], Florian Verhaegen [violin], Aude Walker-Viry [cello], Nicolas Janot [double bass], Ulrik Larsen [theorbo], David Bruley [percussion]) conducted by Franck-Emmanuel Comte [conductor and harpsichord]
WHEN: July 1, 2022, 2 pm to 5 pm
WHERE: Kasteel d'Ursel, Wolfgang d'Urselstraat 9, 2880 Bornem.