The EMV Artist-In-Residence Programme
EMV’s 2024 Artist-in-Residence, Alon Sariel is generously sponsored by Birgit Westergaard and Norman Gladstone.
EMV’s Artist-in-Residence programme started in the summer of 2021. The first artist to hold the position was Cree-Métis Two-Spirit baritone, Jonathon Adams (they/them). EMV followed Adams with David Greenberg (violin) and David McGuinness (keyboards) in 2022 and Catalina Vicens (keyboards) in 2023. We created the programme to honour Canada’s diverse heritages while at the same time exploring the convergences between ‘world music’ and early music. The programme was initiated by Suzie LeBlanc, C.M., EMV’s Artistic and Executive Director.
During the course of their residency, the Resident Artist(s) performs in several festival concerts and engages with the broader community through interviews, mentoring and/or panel discussions and essays.
The scope of what the artist(s) can accomplish during their tenure at EMV will continue to evolve and grow with the programme. EMV is a dynamic contributor to the cultural life of the Canadian West Coast, and the Artist-in-Residence program is an important component.
Alon Sariel, 2024 EMV Artist-in-Residence
Philharmonic hall, not jazz podium; Mozart festival not cult TV rock programme – back then, Alon Sariel had not foreseen how
things would develop: back then, in 1994, when his music teacher told the eight-year-old that the mandolin and the electric guitar were “basically the same thing”. This was a momentous deception that was to deliver to the world of music one of the most versatile mandolin players, lutenists and ensemble directors of the present day. In his concert programmes, Alon uses the lute, Baroque guitar, oud and other plucked instruments to give his audiences the most diverse musical experiences. The mandolin, which has survived the centuries and found its place in the most varied of music styles and cultures, occupies a very special place in his heart.
His many acclaimed recordings of Renaissance and Baroque works – his album “Telemandolin” was recognised in 2018 with an OPUS Klassik award – have firmly established him in the public eye as a specialist for early music. His work with international soloists and ensembles such as Maurice Steger, Andreas Scholl, Lautten Compagney, Norway’s Barokksolistene and many others attests to his reputation. That said, Alon’s guiding principle is a changing perspective. In other words: giving new life to existing material, as well as creating completely new works. Read more.
Statement from Alon Sariel on being the 2024 EMV Artist-in-Residence
“Being Artist in Residence means I’ll really be able to leave my mark on this festival edition, engage with the audience more intensively and contribute my part to multiple concerts and events. I love this idea because it’ll give me the chance to collaborate with a great number of superb artists, spend a little more time in wonderful Vancouver and enjoy the summer festival atmosphere. I will also get to showcase my instruments in different contexts such as early/late Baroque, world music, contemporary music and crossover.”
Alon Sariel
Media
Listen to EMV’s 2024 Artists-in-Residence Alon Sariel play the mandolin.
Previous Artists-in-Residence
Catalina Vicens, keyboards – 2023
“I’m absolutely honoured and delighted to have been invited to be Artist in Residence of Early Music Vancouver 2023. Over the last years, I’ve admired from afar the high level and diversity of artists of EMV, and since 2020 and under the artistic direction of Suzie LeBlanc, this has been enhanced by programming that, in its artistic scope and social awareness, reaches new standards in the international early music scene. I feel, therefore great privilege to have been invited as a soloist, as director of Ensemble Servir Antico and as Music Director of the production of The Queen of Carthage.” – Catalina Vicens
David Greenberg, violin – 2022
“Working with Early Music Vancouver as artist-in-residence for their Bach Festival 2022 was a rewarding experience. As EMV Artistic & Executive Director, Suzie LeBlanc opened many doors to new programming possibilities. The whole EMV team was a pleasure to work with, making the stressful, performance-dense festival experience go smoothly. The concerts were well attended by appreciative audiences, in lovely and varied venues. Through my interactions with the many helpful volunteers and loyal and enthusiastic EMV donors, I sensed the breadth of support and how the EMV family is a welcoming and growing community. I was also thrilled to get to collaborate again with many beloved musicians whom I haven’t gotten to play with for awhile.” – David Greenberg
David McGuinness, keyboards – 2022
“It was a particular joy to be an Artist in Residence at the Vancouver Bach Festival in 2022. It is hard to think of another festival where it would have been possible to present such a broad range of work across a variety of venues. The collaborations with visiting and local musicians instigated by the festival had been carefully curated, and all proved both artistically rewarding and very enjoyable. The facilities in terms of venues, accommodation, and support were all genuinely world-class, and showed a striking level of care and attention to detail in understanding artists’ requirements. And it was great fun!” – David McGuinness
Jonathon Adams, Cree-Métis two-spirit baritone – 2021
“I was deeply honoured and incredibly excited to be EMV’s first official artist-in-residence. As a Cree-Métis artist, I hope my time in residence will help build bridges between EMV and Vancouver’s Indigenous communities while widening horizons of possibility for the performance of historical musics.” – Jonathon Adams
