From La Maison-Thanks Roland

Dear Friends of La Maison Française,

I would like to inform you that the internationally renowned Gregorian choir from Le Mans in Normandy, will give 2 exceptional concerts in Washington DC, on April 18 and 20. Forty-two members of the choir have flown into town, including French conductor Philippe Lenoble.

Program: (texts and songs)- The texts: “Scènes Mariales” (related to the Virgin Mary), will be read by their author, Father Marcel Guillet -- priest of the Solesmes Abbey parish -- and by filmmaker Jean-Luc Solal. - The music: Gregorian chants, as well as Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Palestrina, Caccini and FauréOrganist: Monique Poirier

The texts will be read in French, with an English translation on the programs.

(1)WHAT: Gregorian choir from France (details below and at www.la-maison-francaise.org)WHEN: Friday, April 18 at 7:30 pm WHERE: Saint Matthews Cathedral - 1725 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. 20036ADMISSION: Free - Donations to cover the costs of the event are greatly appreciated. Suggested offer: $20.

(2)WHAT: Gregorian choir from France (details below and at www.la-maison-francaise.org) WHEN: Sunday, April 20 at 6:00 pmWHERE: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – Crypt, 400 Michigan Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20017ADMISSION: Free - Donations to cover the costs of the event are greatly appreciated. Suggested offer: $20.

Cordially,

Roland CeletteDirector of La Maison Françaisewww.la-maison-francaise.org

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History

The 'Maîtrise' origin can be traced to the XIVth century manuscripts of St Julian of Le Mans (April 30th, 1348), time when a lot of French cathedrals organized their own charter. Before, Aldric, the bishop of Le Mans in the IXth century, may have already used his singing talent and influenced the religious singing art in Maine! This bishop, pre-cantor at the Metz cathedral, indeed practiced the Gregorian chant in the native place of this new repertory, a real synthesis of Roman and Gallican chant. No more than two generations separated Aldric from this unique musical phenomenon in the Western music history. In Le Mans, we are therefore the direct heirs of this treasure which is the Gregorian chant. Documents prove that it was always sung at the cathedral. It still is today, especially for big celebrations.

The Maîtrise is currently composed of about sixty youths and adults, men and women, who enjoy meeting once or twice a week. We not only prepare the cathedral services, but also concerts performed in Le Mans, in the Sarthe, in the Loire Valley and abroad. The choir has had exchanges with several countries: Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Russia and more. It recently travelled to Rome, Poland and Jerusalem and is planning a tour in Washington DC. Thanks to its teaching approach in the art of singing, The Psallette – St Vincent school in Le Mans helps recruit and train new singers. The Le Mans Gregorian choir, internationally reknown, is a simple continuation of the 'Maîtrise' male choir. Since September 1974, Philippe Lenoble, deacon, has been leading the 'Maîtrise de la cathédrale', the Gregorian choir, as well as the young singers of La Psallette.