Sao Paulo, Brazil | The day after the fifth and final concert of their first lifelong tour of South America, Alexandre Da Costa and the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra return to Quebec with heads held high and hearts overflowing with joy. “I had the confirmation that I’m not alone with my madness,” explains the maestro, touched.
• Also read: “Stradivarius in Vienna”: from Longueuil to Medellín
• Also read: Opening night for the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra in Bogota
On August 9th, Alexandre Da Costa and 33 OSDL musicians left Quebec to embark on their first international tour together. This tour took him to Colombia and Brazil for five concerts in major theaters in as many South American cities.
“This tour really exceeded my expectations,” says violinist and conductor Alexandre Da Costa. I was hoping that there wouldn’t be too many problems because anything could happen. In fact, I didn’t believe it until the last minute. To see it was such a huge success, I can’t even believe it, I’m speechless! »
During this tour, Da Costa states that he understood one thing: that all musicians – even those who at first seemed more reluctant about his unique approach to classical music – loved this type of tour. By this he means a human tour that connects all participants with a strong desire to “do something different and human. »
“At the end of the last concert in Sao Paulo, all the musicians came up to me and surrounded me during the last piece (J’t’aime comme un fou by Robert Charlebois),” he says, touched. I had no idea they were going to do that and for me that was the strongest moment of all. »
If, after this last concert in Brazil, several musicians looked at each other with tears in their eyes, it is thanks to the 42-year-old conductor, who has the gift of being a positive leader, coupled with sensitivity and humanity.
“I never thought we would go there,” continues the man who has many other big projects in mind for the OSDL. We all became friends, everyone was sincere. I saw the deepest human warmth in her eyes. »
high ten
For Da Costa and his band, the concerts offered in Brazil during the second part of the tour were ten times larger than in Colombia. You won’t forget, for example, the magnificent Rio Municipal Theater (a dazzling replica of the Paris Opera) or that evening in a small restaurant in Sao Paulo that lasted until dawn.
“I light the fire, but it’s up to the people to sustain it and make it grow,” adds the maestro, who says he has experienced powerful moments artistically, personally and humanly during this tour. I wanted to do a tour that looked like me, that would be an adventure in Latin American countries whose culture I deeply love. I thanked the musicians for following me in there and coming. »
Photo courtesy of Marc Dussault
Alexandre Da Costa and his mini maestro Mattenzo Da Costa.
His father’s heart also melted every time his 8.5-year-old son Mattenzo took the stage at the end of the concerts to conduct the orchestra and when he interacted in such a mature way with the other members of the troupe.
Photo courtesy of Marc Dussault
The Da Costa family on Copacabana Beach in Brazil.
As for his wife and press secretary for the tour, Martine Cardinal, he says he has no idea how he could undertake any more trips of this nature without her invaluable help.
“His connection with people, including all musicians, has made a huge difference,” he says. We’re passionate about music, but honestly we’re passionate about adventure and human relationships. It is people who have created these crucial moments. We wanted to experience something unique and that’s exactly what happened. »
SOME OF ALEXANDRE DA COSTA’S FAVORITES IN BRAZIL:
- The city of Rio “A magical place with the beach, the feeling of being in a big city and the incredible landscapes with the mountains and the bays. »
- The Municipal Theater of Rio “This is one of the most beautiful theaters I’ve seen in my life. »
- The city of Sao Paulo and the small grill restaurant 30 meters from your hotel. “Where the magic happened in the band. »
♦ Alexandre Da Costa and his jazz trio Stradivarius BaRock will be guests at the St-Zénon Festival in Piopolis on August 27th: festivalpiopolis.com.
Next for OSDL
- From next week the concerts for the OSDL will follow one another.
- 60 concerts are on the program this year.
- Alexandre Da Costa is already working on a possible tour for 2024 that would combine Europe and Argentina.
- Two albums are also in the works.
- Among the major concert events, Beauty will save the world stands out, a theatrical and musical fresco by Jacques Béland with her partner Mobilisaction Jeunesse. On August 26th at the Saint-Joseph of Mount Royal Oratory in Montreal, on September 3rd at the Notre-Dame-du-Cap Shrine in Trois-Rivières and on September 10th at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. (mobilisaction-jeunesse.com)
- OSDL Regular Season News and Programs: osdl.ca/