Métis 2010

On Friday through Sunday of this week, the under-dog of the Festival of Saint Denis will take place: The Métis Festival.

Hindi Zahra, Jeanne Cherhal,  Féfé and Speed Caravan are on the awesome program, concerts for all and concerts for free.

These concerts are dedicated to reunite electronic music of the oud of Mehdi Haddab (Speed Caravan) to the sweet sound of acoustic guitar of Hindi Zahra, with a true musical adventure of intstruement that cross the deserts of Middle East to the west. The rhythmic voice of Fefe and the clear voice of Jeanne Cherhal embark on a journey of singing and beautiful vocals.

Métis proposes a hot, colorable and accessible program for a moment of conviviality and dance in the court of Saint Denis and a couple of steps away from the Basilica of Kings.

Video On Demand from FSD

Videos of the concerts that you can see just until July 31, 2010
MESSE DE SCHUBERT
REQUIEM DE FAURÉ
LE OUD SELON SMADJ
SYMPHONIE N°4 DE MAHLER
STABAT MATER DE POULENC

Guide to the métro, tram and the RER

For all those coming to Paris, here is a quick guide to the métro, the tram or the RER, because more than likely you will experience one or all of these modes of transport!

1. There are 14 metro lines, 4 tram lines and 5 RER lines, therefore the first time taking the metro can, but it doesn't have to be a frightening experience!

• Remember your stop and the direction that you need to take to get to the stop ( I don't know how many tourists I have seen who think they are going to CDG when in fact they are going the wrong way!)
• For example, you are on line 4 at Gare du Nord and you want to go to St. Michel (same line), follow the direction Porte d'Orleans until St. Michel. 

• For a clearer explanation refer to ratp.fr interactive map of the transports - this map allows you to click on your starting and ending position and then gives the amount of time to arrive at your destination, the approximate price and also allows you to print it out

2. Keep track of your belongings, make sure they are next to you and keep your eyes on all of them.

• Don't let your cell phone, keys, credit cards or what not in your pockets you never know who's hands will find their way into them, better yet, keep your hands in your pockets or near them.

• Be aware of your surroundings, be aware of pickpocketers, you never know who has been eyeing you or your stuff during your journey and who has been making a plan to steal your stuff, I have seen it action, so please don't let it happen to you, you don't want to spend your whole trip in your nation's consulate - I imagine not a fun trip!

3. Take advantage of the metro, etc.

• Go to Disneyworld, end of RER A!
• Go to a football game (soccer) when in season @ Stade de France RER B
• Versailles - RER C
• Les Puces de Saint-Ouen - The Flea market or Puces de Vanves (line 13)
• Porte de Pantin and the Parc de Villette - line 5 or 7
• Basilique de Saint Denis - tram 1 or line 13

There are so many things to do in Paris, and the metro, tram, RER makes it easier, so don't forget that it exists, it makes life more easier, because you don't have to buy gas, find a parking spot and remember where you parked the car, and last but not least its only 30€ for a 5 day pass!

David Fray - the pianist

The rehearsal of David Fray was good, he is a perfectionist at piano. He is only 29 and a prodigy, plus married to Chiara Muti, the daughter of Ricardo Muti, one of the best conductors in the world. Plus he lives the nice life with his Prada piano sack, and his expensive Italian suit.

He was very particular about his phrasing, the crescendos and the decrescendos etc. Sometimes I felt bad for Emmanuel or Olivia his guests where he tried to get them to play the specific way that was good for him. As if he was his own conductor just like his father-in-law.

Laurence Equibley interprets Faure

Laurence Equibley is a great woman conductor, a rare gem in a sea if men especially in Paris. One could see her intense passion for the Requiem on her face, rarely was it a look of disapproval, and with each phrase a gentilesse. The rehearsal this evening not a typical one, there was an audience of children as part of participation in the culture and social actions part of the festival.

Often an opera of other classical music concert is too expensive for the school to pay for, therefore the festival offered free rehearsal concerts open to these low-income schools; who would otherwise not be able to see a concert of this nature first hand.

The orchestral ensemble of Paris lyrically played the melodies of Faure with lightness. This small ensemble and chorus empowered the room as if it was the London Philharmonic with it's chorus. Their sound filled the inside walls of the basilica plus echoed throughout the courtyard, who knows how it will sound on Friday the day of the actual concert. Probably more power with the bow and fingers lightly touching the string and keys.