“It is one thing to dutifully study the music of a country, but it is a different thing altogether to experience first-hand its language, art, and culture with the people that enliven this art form.”

A morning coffee accompanied by a swish of a horse’s tail, gazing into the uninterrupted green pasture, c’est la vie of the unforgettable CLA France program.

There was an immediate sense of welcome as we were warmly met at the Bergerac train station by Glenn, Gaspard, and Raphaël, who enriched our lives over the next three weeks in ways we couldn’t have predicted. 

Our days consisted of French lessons with Raphaël, individual coachings with Glenn and Hélène, and ensemble coachings with Gaspard. As a pianist, I was lucky to have been in many of these sessions, soaking in all the coaches’ wisdom in French operatic repertoire from Gounod to Poulenc. 

With Raphaël we tried our hands at reading beloved French poetry, as well as lyrics from modern popular songs. This gave us a sense of the natural rhythms, vowel sounds, and the open, rounded schwa (which became somewhat of a motto for the participants). Individual coachings with Glenn and Hélène were filled with personal revelations on how the voice works, unexpected discoveries of musical style, and the utter joy of music making. Gaspard infused our duets, trios, and ensemble numbers with sheer energy, transforming them from notes and words on a page to vivid, dramatic scenes. 

In between the music making, we were treated to three-course meals from the Michelin Star chef, Vincent Lucas, as well as delectable local wines and cheeses. The French butter was also a massive hit, where we would demolish a whole block of butter every couple of days. We had languid conversations by the pool under the ever-changing orange of the evening and shared moments with fellow artists under the stars. There was a real sense of camaraderie, and perhaps a tiny glimpse into the spirit of the French composers who were inspired to create from this landscape.

The last seven days brought five performances, each in a different venue and in a different town: from the cozily packed Église Saint Éloi to the historic Église Saint Dominique, Monpazier. My favorite concert was, without a doubt, in the Église de St. Jacques in Bergerac where I played on a spectacular Fazioli. What a treat it was to be able to share this vibrant music on stage with my colleagues, for the community of these towns and villages!

I will always look back fondly at these three weeks of learning, inspiration, and joy. It is one thing to dutifully study the music of a country, but it is a different thing altogether to experience first-hand its language, art, and culture with the people that enliven this art form.