A Tango Feast of Music and Food
by Nancy Snipper
From February 21 to March
3 Montréal en Lumière is featuring over 100 top world-class artists and chefs with
the accent on Argentina. 70 concerts
will take place in 24 different venues.
One of the two honorary co-presidents
drummer, Daniel Piazzolla, grandson of Astor (father of tango), will be
performing with Escalandrum, his jazz/tango sextet on March 2nd, inside the atmospheric L’Astral. Having collaborated with Gloria Estevan and
Chick Corea, Danilo Perez and other greats, Mr. Piazaolla is sure to wow the
crowds.
Daniel Piazzolla
Lumière's other co-honourary
president is the incomparable classical pianist/composer Alain Lefèvre. One can
anticipate the non-stop clapping, whistling and “bravos’ coming from every
corner of the acoustically-perfect Maison Symphonique de Montreal during a
concert of his melodic masterpieces on February 23rd. A multi-award
winner, Mr. Lefèvre will make musical history in the city with a performance of original pieces from two of
his albums, ‘Fidèles Insomnies’ (Blissfully Sleepless) and ‘Jardin d ’Images’.
His compositions have mesmerized critics and classical piano lovers around the
world. An inspirational genius, he received a ten-minute standing ovation from
a crowd of 4000 when Lumière first lit up the stages of Montreal.14 years ago.
Alain Lefèvre
Stand-out concerts include a spectacular
evening of ‘West Side Story’ Percussion and vocalists will bring to life the
tragic love stories in an innovative manner. Argentine dance companies will wow
with their wizard choreography. Opera soloists, include counter tenor Daniel
Taylor in an all-Bach cantata program, and the scintillating soprano Marie-Josée
Lord. Her hypnotic voice is inspiring and unique.
Marie-Josée Lord
Also appearing are
Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Daniel Lavoie to the Zombies and the acapella,
beatbox boys of Voca people, plus a line-up of many local stars provide appeal
to suit diverse tastes.
Tango addicts won’t
want to miss the shows of La Pista Tango and La Pista Cabaret.
La Pista Tango
A symphony of
salacious gourmet dishes further heightens the senses. Nineteen chefs from Argentina, seven from Philadelphia
and four from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean along with two Argentinean wine producers
will be cooking up a storm and pouring out vintage wines in 40 kitchens of Montreal as guest chefs
pair up with local chefs. Argentinean chef, Gonzalo Aramburu will be serving a
ten-course meal using the freshest of Argentinean products in his gourmet
molecular dishes. Master chef, Francis Mallman who is also the festival’s
honorary president will offer his seven-course meal that includes white fish
cooked with salsa criolla and lamb confit with guajchalocro from Jujuy.
Gonzalo Aramburu
Francis Mallmann
Exceptional wines both
from Cheval des Andes winery the Terrassas de los Andes will compliment each
segment of the feast. This
takes place at Europea Restaurant (1227 rue de la Montagne).
Europea will also offer a five-course meal
created by Hernan Griccini, renown for his Relais & Châteaux restaurant
Chez Nous in Buenos Aires.
Hernan Griccini
Demonstrations and classes in Argentine
cuisine along with cheese concoction contests to be judged by tastings the public are also on Lumière’s plate.
Montreal en Lumière brings joyous light into your life, and in February we all need that.
For information and
reservations, call (514) 288-9955. The website is www.montrealenlumiere.com
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