Friday, March 17, 2017

Our big performance was a success!

After months of preparation and hard work for the students and the staff, the performance of Les Musiciens de Brême took place on Thursday March 16th in a full Franco Center in Lewiston. Many families and friends of the school attended with special guests as well as the people of La Rencontre, a group of Francophones who meet once a month at the Franco Center to speak French.

Every year, we perform at the Franco Center during la Semaine de la Francophonie, Francophone Week, in order to celebrate our French language and culture! We were very honored to welcome Valéry Fréland, the Consul Général de France in Boston who enjoyed the show tremendously. We also thank Mitch Thomas and the Franco Center for welcoming us in this beautiful space to perform for la Rencontre, merci to all the people who work everyday to preserve the rich Franco American culture and heritage. We are very proud to be part of it. 

The show was based on the opera by Julien Joubert but details and story lines as well as other songs were added to the project by the artistic director or music teacher of the school, Joëlle Morris. Joëlle created a masterpiece of a performance and we are very thankful to all her hard work and vision. The show would not have been the same without the talented Dasha Betts, our art teacher who created all the stage props, costumes and accessories with the help of the students. Your talent is immense Dasha and we are so fortunate to have you as our art teacher!

A very special thank you to Antonio Jesus Benitez Mateos and Julie Bouyer who organized training for the teachers as well as a 2-week workshop for the students of the whole school. Thank you so much for your dedication and for sharing your passion for circus with the school. The "talent show" was absolutely mind-blowing!

A HUGE thank you to all the teachers who have put all their heart and time in this project : Aline Dussart, Sylvine Brun, Philomène Rossini, Yassine Merchi, Estelle Pettier, Patrice Larivière, Julie Bouyer, Kelly Valdmanis, Chantal Joubi, you were the beating heart of the opera. 

Thank you so much to Peter Dugas for the wonderful accompaniment, we are very thankful for your dedication and help. Thank you also to Julie Fryer for all the work behind the scenes, you are a gem. 

From the bottom of my heart, MERCI MERCI MERCI to our talented teachers, to you, families, for your support and BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO to all our little artists!

And now, a few pictures of this brilliant show!