For the very first time

           It is always incredible to do something for the first time. I feel that life often ends up being a collection of many first time experiences, and then you slowly settle into a few things that you love to do over and over again. Chamber music has been one of the those things that I have come to realize at an early age as something that I want to make sure that I get to do over and over again in my life. That said, this morning was a very special morning because I got a few incredible players together from the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, and we walked over to the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, just a few minutes walk away from our Hotel where we are currently staying to play some music. The reason we are here is to perform three concerts, starting tonight, at the Royal Opera House in the Palace of Versailles. One of the most unique opportunities in the world for our orchestra that we have been lucky enough to do now for the third time! Tonight is opening night of Lully’s Opera Armide, the second time we bring this particular Opera to Versailles, France. 
           
          Back to why this morning was so special, well, for the very first time, I sat down together with Chris, Tom, and Mimi from Tafelmusik and read several string quartets composed by Hyacinthe Jadin, A TOTALLY INCREDIBLE FRENCH COMPOSER. I always find it so amazing when one can sit down with incredible musicians and come across some incredible music that non of you has ever heard, site read them, and completely fall in love with the music. There are similarities to Haydn, with incredible jokes in the minuets and trios, as well as similarities to Mozart in the part writing, and conversational material. I am very excited to program some Jadin in the next coming years on my own series as well as hopefully share more of his works with the North American community.
           
           We were welcomed this morning at the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles by Julien and Thomas two of the people behind a lot of the discovery and creation of these modern additions of an incredible amount of baroque and classical repertoire from French Composers of our past. We also read some Vachon, and took a look at some Grétry. Two other great composers writing chamber music in the late 18th century. 
           
​           It is such an honour to be traveling in Europe and performing right now just outside of Paris in Versailles with Opera Atelier and the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Tonight will be a very special night, as we perform Armide, an opera composed for Marie Antoinette which was premiered at the Palace of Versailles in the Opera House where we will be performing. Greetings from France, and I look forward to sharing some of this incredible music we discovered this morning with family and friends at home, and abroad.