{"id":125772,"date":"2026-07-10T16:53:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T20:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=125772"},"modified":"2026-07-10T16:53:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T20:53:58","slug":"interview-montreals-choral-ensemble-les-rugissants-brings-voices-ukraine-ontario","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/07\/10\/interview-montreals-choral-ensemble-les-rugissants-brings-voices-ukraine-ontario\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Montr\u00e9al\u2019s Choral Ensemble Les Rugissants Brings Voices Of Ukraine To Ontario"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_125774\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125774\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-125774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-10T164800.528.jpg\" alt=\"Artistic Director Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard and his Montr\u00e9al-based choral ensemble Les Rugissants perform as part of their ARCHES: Pr\u00e9sence ukrainienne series (Photo: Maryse Boyce)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-10T164800.528.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-10T164800.528-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-10T164800.528-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-10T164800.528-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-125774\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Artistic Director Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard and his Montr\u00e9al-based choral ensemble Les Rugissants perform as part of their ARCHES: Pr\u00e9sence ukrainienne series (Photo: Maryse Boyce)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Artistic Director Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard and his Montr\u00e9al-based choral ensemble Les Rugissants will be touring Ontario this summer with a program titled Voices of Ukraine. Les Rugissants, a professional choir, will present an a cappella concert for 12 voices in a program that celebrates Ukrainian musical heritage.<\/p>\n<p>The music includes everything from folk songs to sacred songs to traditional repertoire. It offers a look at Ukrainian musical culture as it has developed over the centuries.<\/p>\n<p>Each concert takes its spatial dimensions into account, and the singers will be positioned throughout the performance space. At times they will fully surround the audience, and the sound will travel through the architecture of each venue, becoming part of the music.<\/p>\n<p>The performances also incorporate context and history in the form of commentary that adds educational elements to the artistic experience.<\/p>\n<h2>Performances<\/h2>\n<p>The performances include three Toronto dates, one of them free, along with appearances at the Collingwood Music Festival, One World Music Festival, and Stratford Summer Music. Find details at the links below.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Thursday, July 16 | 7:00 p.m. | <a href=\"https:\/\/collingwoodfestival.com\/event\/voices-of-ukraine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Collingwood Music Festival<\/a> \u2014 Collingwood, ON<\/li>\n<li>Friday, July 17 | 7:00 p.m. | <a href=\"https:\/\/brooksidemusic.com\/UpcomingEvents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">One World Music Festival<\/a> \u2014 Midland, ON<\/li>\n<li>Saturday, July 18 | 4:00 p.m. | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratfordsummermusic.ca\/events\/arches-ukrainian-song\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stratford Summer Music<\/a> \u2014 Stratford, ON<\/li>\n<li>Sunday, July 19 | 3:00 p.m. | <a href=\"https:\/\/fb.me\/e\/6jyAlJuQf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Protection of<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/fb.me\/e\/6jyAlJuQf\">the Mother of God<\/a> (Free will offering) \u2014 Toronto, ON<\/li>\n<li>Sunday, July 19 | 7:30 p.m. | <a href=\"https:\/\/fb.me\/e\/6DYhOU5xe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Old Mill Toronto<\/a> \u2013 Guildhall Room (Free will offering)<br \/>\n\u2014 Toronto, ON<\/li>\n<li>Monday, July 20 | 10:30 AM | <a href=\"https:\/\/fb.me\/e\/6pWTSiOyr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ukrainian Canadian Care Centr<\/a>e (Free and open to<br \/>\nresidents and the general public) \u2014 Toronto, ON<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_125775\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125775\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-125775\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Rugissants_Arches2024_web_credMaryseBoyce_0481_1_1.jpg\" alt=\"Artistic Director Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard and his Montr\u00e9al-based choral ensemble Les Rugissants perform as part of their ARCHES: Pr\u00e9sence ukrainienne series (Photo: Maryse Boyce)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"826\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Rugissants_Arches2024_web_credMaryseBoyce_0481_1_1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Rugissants_Arches2024_web_credMaryseBoyce_0481_1_1-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Rugissants_Arches2024_web_credMaryseBoyce_0481_1_1-1024x705.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Rugissants_Arches2024_web_credMaryseBoyce_0481_1_1-768x529.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-125775\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Artistic Director Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard and his Montr\u00e9al-based choral ensemble Les Rugissants perform as part of their ARCHES: Pr\u00e9sence ukrainienne series (Photo: Maryse Boyce)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard: The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>Blending music with the specific venue is not a new concept for Brossard-M\u00e9nard or the choir.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s interesting,\u201d Xavier says, \u201cwe have this series around architecture and music in Montr\u00e9al, it&#8217;s called ARCHES.<\/p>\n<p>Their ARCHES concert series has a dual goal \u2014 the music, of course, along with discovery of architectural heritage through a guided tour. The performances offer the results of that acoustic encounter. It includes video along with the live music, and so far, via architecture, Les Rugissants has explored the city\u2019s Italian, Ukrainian, and Armenian communities through the series.<\/p>\n<p>The timing may seem deliberate, but it was more a matter of chance. \u201cInterestingly enough, we decided to do this program before the war,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, of course, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has lended a poignancy to the program. After the Ukrainian ARCHES concert, and about a year after the war began, Montr\u00e9al\u2019s Ukrainian community approached Les Rugissants with the idea of presenting Ukrainian music. \u201cI really want this for the Ukrainian [community] in music,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>The Ontario tour came about via connections Brossard-M\u00e9nard has made over the years, including serving as the assistant to Boris Brott at the Brott Festival in 2020\/21.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI started making some artistic and professional relationships with festivals,\u201d he explains. That includes the Collingwood Music Festival.<\/p>\n<p>Practical considerations also entered into the mix. \u201cIt&#8217;s also light, we come with 12 singers. It&#8217;s a cappella.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>An Immersive Experience<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cWhat&#8217;s interesting with this program in Montr\u00e9al, we do a part of the concert that is immersive,\u201d Xavier says. They use the specific architecture of each venue to create that effect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe really change the format of the performance to create a new bond,\u201d he says. That includes the singers as well as the audience \u2014 and the venue. \u201cIt changes the point of view, the way we hear things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The tour takes them to a variety of locations. \u201cWe will be in some Ukrainian spaces,\u201d he points out. That includes two of the Toronto dates. \u201cGenerally speaking, even if we&#8217;re not in a Ukrainian space, we try to use the space in a [unique] way,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChanging the experience of the concert is really the mandate of the company,\u201d Xavier explains. \u201cHow can we provide \u2014 I don&#8217;t like to use the term classical music \u2014 I use concert music.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He looks to make each concert relevant to a contemporary audience.<\/p>\n<p>Les Rugissants perform Slava by Lessia Dytchko as part of their ARCHES: Pr\u00e9sence ukrainienne series:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O8pu3JZKFYA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>The Program<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThe program is composed of sacred music, classical music \u2014 meaning music that is composed by professional composers over the ages \u2014 and folk music, [as] arranged by composers. We have music that spans from the 18th century to the early 2000s.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For the Ukrainian concert, he\u2019s looking to offer a kind of context for Ukrainian culture.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe try to have a larger time span. What is the specificity of Ukrainian culture? Also, meaning that the Ukrainian culture is not Russian culture.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The music and conversation is designed to evoke a response in listeners. \u201cThe series is also about empathy and curiosity,\u201d he says. \u201cTo meet the culture. It&#8217;s also the idea about people who are making a real effort to [explore] the culture of the other.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He emphasizes that cultural consultants were part of the process of putting the music together. \u201cIt&#8217;s not appropriation,\u201d Brossard-M\u00e9nard says.<\/p>\n<p>Making the distinction between Russian and Ukrainian composers isn\u2019t an entirely black and white process, he notes. \u201cObviously a lot of Ukrainian composers, especially in the 18th and 19th century, were traveling back and forth between Russia and Ukraine,\u201d he says. \u201cThis is like a whole world of subtlety.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Les Rugissants has performed the music extensively in Montr\u00e9al, including at City Hall, and festivals, among other places.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re really glad to be able to tour and bring this project to Ontario.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Making Connections<\/h3>\n<p>Xavier believes touring is important in a country like Canada. \u201cThere are very few possibilities to connect,\u201d he says, \u201ccities are so far.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The communities the choir has connected with so far have been very supportive, as well as appreciative, of their efforts. \u201cWe put so much energy and research into these projects that we would really love to be able to bring them to more communities in Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Music creates links. \u201cThe music is really beautiful&#8230;and fun. It\u2019s engaging, spiritual, but also bouncy folk music,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>The educational component also builds bridges. \u201cI also speak during the concerts. I speak about the music.\u201d Audience members shouldn\u2019t expect a dull, dry, lecture, though. \u201cI&#8217;m a rather humouristic person.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Along with the time and effort that goes into creating the programs, repeating it over time adds layers of understanding. \u201cEvery time we repeat a program we try to focus on a different aspect. It\u2019s a bit like a stew \u2014 after a few days, the flavour are a bit more blended,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe singers are really fantastic,\u201d Xavier adds. \u201cThey\u2019re very engaged. They feel like this program is [&#8230;] relevant.\u201d Some have personal ties to Ukrainian culture. \u201cThe series, generally speaking, there is more of a bond between the singers and the public.\u201d It\u2019s about evoking emotions, not just talking about facts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is this idea of protecting a culture that is under a threat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Les Rugissants perform Le r\u00eave by Kyrylo Stetsenko as part of their ARCHES: Pr\u00e9sence ukrainienne series:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7z6hSyZYcZc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Ukrainian Music<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cI find Ukrainian music to be very colourful,\u201d he says. \u201cThere is really a wide variety of expression, and situations as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The folk music talks about situations from daily life. \u201cThere is really a craft in how those situations are depicted,\u201d he says. \u201cIt&#8217;s really like icons,\u201d he adds. \u201cI think there&#8217;s a certain connection between how the Ukrainian culture sees painting and music.\u201d He mentions the use of colours and light to create unique effects.<\/p>\n<p>From a musical perspective, there are distinctive features. \u201cThe Ukrainian folk music is 7\/8, 5\/8 with lots of syncopations, with sounds that are really [&#8230;] rustic,\u201d Brossard-M\u00e9nard says. \u201cI find sometimes the choral world is obsessed with beauty \u2014 and beauty is nice but it doesn&#8217;t tell a good story.\u201d For that, you need variety, layers, rhythms.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUkrainian music is I think like that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? 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