Musiques et Voix en Pays Catalan
| 14th March, Thuir, 8.30pm in the Théâtre des Aspres ‘La petite flute enchantée’ an adaption of Mozart’s ‘The Magic flute’ in costume, especially to delight children and adults. Tickets: 10€ Adults, 8€ children. Reservations Tel: 04 68 64 58 74 or pay on the door. |
| 20th March, Céret, 8.30pm in the Salle de l’Union ‘La petite flute enchantée’ an adaption of Mozart’s ‘The Magic flute’ in costume, especially to delight children and adults. Tickets: 12€ Adults, 7€ children (free for U12s). Pay on the door. |
Not just music but change is in the air for the Formations de Chambre des Pays Catalans. In 2014 the Céret-based music association welcomed Christian Papis as he took over the role of Artistic Director. At the same time the popular autumn music festival, Automne Musical en Vallespir, expanded to 10 concerts to include Les Cluses, L’Albere and Le Perthus. For 2015 the name of the association changes to Musiques et Voix en Pays Catalan to better reflect Christian Papis’ wide range of experience and musical interests.
Christian’s original musical training was in the saxophone at the Conservatory National Superior of Music in Paris, but his talent for singing was quickly discovered and he became one of the ten foremost tenors in the world. His career in opera saw him performing in Europe’s leading opera venues, including La Scala, Paris Opera, Berlin, Madrid, Venice and Glyndebourne, London, Vienna, Geneva, and singing under the direction of famous names including Daniel Barenboim, Andrew Davis, Riccardo Muti and Georges Prêtre. Christian’s voice has featured on numerous operatic recordings; he has appeared on television and made films.
After working alongside Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras, Alagna, Dessay, Berganza, Van Dam, Hampson, Ramey, and many other stars of the operatic world Christian Papis singing career was cruelly cut short by a medical problem. In recent years this has led him to bring his wide experience to teaching at Musikthéater of Amsterdam, Maastricht, Stadtsoper Frankfurt am Rhein, at a number of Conservatoires, most recently Schola Cantorum in Paris, Bordeaux, Nantes and now, since 2010, in Perpignan where he is Professeur de Chant.
On a more personal level Christian is an enthusiast for many different musical forms – from jazz to baroque, from opera to flamenco guitar, oratorios and recitals for lyric voices.
His experience during 35 years on the international music scene has opened an exciting new chapter for music fans in the PO.
