Two stunning summer concerts!
Towards the end of the summer our executive director, Janet Anthony, created the Ensemble Ludovic Lamothe, named after one of Haiti’s best known composers. And, right away, this group had its first two very important concerts!
Performing for the Haitian Prime Minister, a large portion of the Diplomatic corps and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Culture and Education and more!
At the end of August, Janet was asked to organize a memorable showcase for young Haitian musicians performing traditional and contemporary Haitian music for strings. This exclusive event was held for an audience of diplomats and government officials who, having been in meetings most of the day, were eager for a refreshing break in their packed schedule.
We curated this special performance with talented musicians from Cap Haitian, Port-au-Prince, Marmelade, Gonaives, and Saint Suzanne, all of whom traveled to Cap Haitian for a day of intense rehearsals playing masterpieces of repertoire for strings by Haitian composers.
The concert, at the gorgeous Cormier Beach Resort, was a resounding success. A highlight of the evening was a stand out performance by Symbiose, a jazz combo made up of teachers from the CEMUCHCA Institute of Music. The audience was thrilled when one of the ministers spontaneously leapt to the stage to take over the bass guitar part. Even the Prime Minister could barely keep his seat!
The Committee for the Museum of the Slave Route
The Ensemble Ludovic Lamothe was honored to perform at the inaugural ceremony for the upcoming UNESCO-supported Haitian Museum of the Slave Route: Resistance, Liberty, Heritage. This museum will be part of an important network dedicated to preserving and educating about the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. The network includes:
A nearly completed museum in Benin, which is already generating significant interest.
The soon-to-break-ground museum in Bois Caïman just outside of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, a location rich in historical significance.
A planned museum in New Orleans, USA, which will serve as a cultural bridge connecting Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
The Haitian museum will be located in Bois Caïman, the historic site where, on August 23, 1791, enslaved people held a clandestine meeting that ignited the Haitian Revolution—the only successful slave revolt in history.
This pivotal event not only led to the abolition of slavery but also resulted in Haiti becoming the second independent republic in the Americas, following the United States. The museum will serve as a powerful reminder of Haiti's unique place in world history, celebrating the resilience and strength of its people.
We had the privilege of participating in a deeply moving, three-part presentation
Ludovic Lamothe Orchestra (named for one of Haiti's best known composers)
Ayiti dans an nou Dance troupe
An extraordinary performance by the renowned folklorique dancer, artist, and hungan Eryol Joseph
We were so honored to be a part of this celebration and were thrilled by the audience's enthusiastic response. We ended our performance with a rendition of Tchoupy Hylaris’ terrific new piece: Dans Payizan .As has been the case for EVERY performance of this work, the crowd was on their feet dancing along with the musicians - what an incredible experience!
All in all, this was a beautiful celebration of Haiti's rich cultural heritage, showcasing its deep history and vibrant artistic spirit.
