Residency in Thiré: two Ukrainian musicians combine baroque art and solidarity

 

At the Quartier des Artistes in Thiré, the Fondation Les Arts Florissants – William Christie continues its mission of welcoming, transmission and international outreach. This autumn, the campus opened its doors to two Ukrainian artists in residence: Nataliia Korovitska, virtuoso of mandolin and mandola, and Olena Zhukova, harpsichordist and doctor in musicology. The result of several weeks of work in Vendée, their Franco-Italian program will be presented during a charity concert at the Ukrainian embassy in Paris on October 14. They will also perform on October 10 at the concert of reopening of the church of Thiré, thus participating in the life of the village and its inhabitants.

How did you discover this residence and why did you come here, to Thiré? 

Nataliia : The first reason I am here is the war in Ukraine. The situation there is very trying and getting worse every month. So I started to look for professional opportunities here in France. The first step was to find baroque music ensembles, for which the mandolin and mandola are particularly suitable. I contacted the Philharmonie de Paris to help me with this research, and it was they who guided me towards the residency programs at Les Arts Florissants. That’s how I discovered this place, in order to meet specialized musicians and start a new journey. 

 

Olena : I have been pursuing an international career for many years, but with the start of the war, I stepped up my efforts to develop collaborations abroad. The public and institutions around the world have been very open and supportive of Ukrainian artists. This is my second stay here in Thiré with Les Arts Florissants. It is an exceptional cultural center, founded by a major figure of early music: staying there is a great source of inspiration but also offers a safe environment to work. In Ukraine, where I still live, the daily shelling makes concert life almost impossible. Being here allows you to focus calmly on artistic projects. 

Plucked strings and keyboards: a Franco-Italian dialogue

At the heart of their residency project, the two musicians have designed an original program bringing together the worlds of Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Antonio Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti.

 

Can you tell us about the project you are preparing together here?

Nataliia: We are preparing a baroque concert program bringing together works by Charpentier, Lully, Vivaldi and Scarlatti. It is a dialogue between French and Italian music. Our wish is to share the fruits of this month’s work during a concert at the Ukrainian embassy in Paris.

 

Olena: The association of the harpsichord with the mandolin and the mandola is particularly interesting. In the French baroque tradition, the harpsichord inherited the technique and lute playing (the luthe style of playing the harpsichord). This creates a fascinating balance between the French lute/harpsichord repertoire and the Italian mandolin tradition. We look forward to presenting this project at the inauguration of the church in Thiré, as well as in Paris for an international audience. We also take advantage of masterclasses in progress to exchange with renowned specialists such as Paul Agnew and Daniel Taylor, as well as with singers from Canada or the ensemble Il Parrasio.

 

Nataliia: I would like to add that the concert we are offering will also be a charity event. In connection with organizations helping the orphans and widows of war in Ukraine, the donations collected will make it possible to provide support to the victims of the conflict.

 

How does this experience feed into your artistic and personal journey for the future?

Nataliia: For me, it’s a very enriching first experience. Playing with such musicians, participating in masterclasses and working with young baroque singers and instrumentalists from around the world opens up wonderful perspectives. It’s a pleasure and a totally new experience.

Olena : For a concert musician and teacher, this residency allows to stay connected with the living and modern trends of historical interpretation. These practices are constantly evolving, and it is essential to nurture one’s artistic vision so that I can then pass it on to my students when I return to Ukraine. The format of a residence is unique: we learn, we exchange, we observe the greatest specialists at work. It gives a huge boost of energy and reminds us of the vital importance of music in everyday life. Beyond work, you immediately feel the warm support of a large international musical community, similar to a family. 

After a first presentation on the occasion of the inauguration of the church of Thiré on October 10, the duo will wear the colors of this musical and solidarity dialogue in the capital on October 14 as part of a charity concert at the cultural center of the Ukrainian embassy in Paris. The donations will be used to help widows and orphans victims of the conflict in Ukraine.

A unique opportunity to discover the beauty of these Baroque stamps, while showing its solidarity with the artists and the Ukrainian people.