Richard Desjardins, the celebrated artist, will perform with the Orchestre symphonique régional d’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (OSRAT) on August 8. This concert commemorates the 100th anniversary of his hometown, Rouyn-Noranda. This event is part of the Osisko en lumière festival, which has previously hosted renowned artists like Sean Paul and Smash Mouth.
Community Connection and Performance Details
The festival director, Frédéric Roy-Hall, noted that convincing Desjardins to perform has been a challenge over the years. “At least half the town is trying to persuade him to get back on stage.” Desjardins was motivated by the opportunity to create a show for his community, especially given the significance of the city’s centenary.
The performance will occur on an outdoor stage, near the Noranda neighborhood where Desjardins grew up. He plans to perform some of his iconic songs, including:
- Tu m’aimes-tu
- Les Yankees
- Jenny
After the concert, he will return home to Lake Vaudray, avoiding the need for overnight accommodations.
Desjardins’ Artistic Journey
Richard Desjardins has been semi-retired from the stage in recent years, making unexpected appearances, such as at the Festival de cirque des Îles in July. His last major performance in Rouyn-Noranda was in 2019 at the Festival des guitares du monde, where he performed with the OSRAT under the direction of his childhood friend, Jacques Marchand, who will also lead the upcoming concert.
The arrangements for this concert are by Gilles Bellemare, reflecting the music from Desjardins’ 2009 album, *Richard Desjardins symphonique*.
Festival Sponsorship and Community Impact
Some may view the support of the Fonderie Horne, a company Desjardins has criticized for its arsenic emissions, as controversial. However, Roy-Hall clarified that festival programming is independent of its sponsors. “We have had artists critical of the Fonderie before,” he stated. The focus remains on featuring artists that genuinely represent the community, and Roy-Hall believes “no one represents it better than Desjardins.”
For more information about the festival and the centennial concert, visit El-Balad.
