Gala of the Earth: Nicolas Ellis Conducts The Rite of Spring 

To open the Festival de Lanaudière, Nicolas Ellis and Orchestre de l’Agora bring you a surge of shimmering colours and suave exoticism, in Stravinsky’s vision of a “sacred Pagan rite.” This follows Inuit throat singing, Claude Champagne’s evocation of an ancient natural setting, and Ravel’s portrait of Middle Eastern legend, featuring the marvellous soprano Julie Fuchs in her debut with the Festival. 

The Gala of the Earth of the Orchestre de l’Agora invites the public to take an interest in initiatives aimed at protecting fragile ecosystems here in Quebec. Since 2020, the event has enabled $513,000 to be donated to environmental causes.  This year, $5 from each concert ticket will be directed to Nature Conservancy of Canada’s St. Lawrence Project, which is dedicated to preserving and restoring lands along the St. Lawrence River. Claude Champagne’s Gaspé Symphony will be performed in tribute to this project.