Dear friends,

Lyrique-en-Mer is pleased to welcome you to Belle-Ile for the seventh consecutive season. Many thanks to those who join us each season: we appreciate your renewed confidence. Thanks too to those of you who are joining us for the first time: we look forward to sharing these delightful moments with you.

For this 2004 season, Philip Walsh and I have chosen three great works.
We hope the dramatic intensity of Carmen by George Bizet and the musical charm of The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will fascinate and enchant you, our audience.

This year's Musique Sacrée is Messiah by Georg Friderich Handel which will be performed in the Church of Sauzon for the first time, and also in Bangor, Locmaria and Le Palais.
This wonderful work is performed by the Festival Chorus, the Coro-lirico and our international soloists.

Last summer, a small chorus of Belle-Ile's inhabitants made their stage debuts, joining our professional singers in Puccini's La Bohème. This summer, we look forward to welcoming some of them back on the stage of the Citadelle for Carmen.

The recital evening Ad Libitum, a glorious mixture of genres and repertoire, is back once again and promises to be a wonderful evening.

As in previous years, the cocktail-concerts are held in two historic places of the island, Chateau Fouquet and Beau Soleil. The works are performed by talented artists in a relaxed ambiance.

In addition the Master-Classes allow young performers to advance alongside experienced opera singers.

Among those who give their support to the Festival, we offer heartfelt thanks to M. and Mme. Larquetoux who once again welcome us to the magnificent Citadelle Vauban.

I hope you will enjoy this new season of Lyrique en mer.

Welcome!
Richard Cowan