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Musical Moments at the European Center in Talloires

Wednesday, October, 23rd, 2024 Community Events Newsletter

Violinists, a singer, and a cellist performing music inside the historic Priory, of Tufts European Center, in Talloires, surrounded by rustic stone walls and wooden beams.

This summer, the Tufts European Center in Talloires came alive with the sound of music, a tradition deeply rooted in the vision of Charlotte MacJannet, who, along with her husband Donald MacJannet, transformed the old Prieuré de Talloires into a center for international education and cultural engagement.

Known for her love of the arts, particularly music, Mrs. MacJannet's dedication to the Priory’s cultural life dates back to her education in the Dalcroze method, a method that emphasizes the connection between music and movement. This early training shaped her lifelong passion for fostering artistic expression and bringing people together through music.

Charlotte MacJannet’s belief in the power of music to unite and inspire lives on today through many musical events that we hold at the European Center each summer. These concerts create a space where students, locals, and visitors can connect with the arts in a meaningful way.

Here are some of this summer’s musical highlights:

Musicians playing instruments inside the historic Priory in Talloires, with stone walls and wooden beams creating a cozy, musical atmosphere.

Les Bestivités: A Celebration of Music

Once again this year, the European Center hosted the Bestivités Music Festival. This annual event, now in its sixth edition, brought the members of the Bestiaire music ensemble to the European Center to perform a diverse array of musical works.  Over the course of th

ree days, the Bestiaire ensemble performed five concerts at the Tufts Priory including works by composers like Bartok, Handel, Ravel, Schubert, Schnittke and Stravinsky.  The Priory provided the perfect setting and attracted a full house for each of their concerts.

A singer, and a piano player perform music inside the historic Priory in Talloires, also known as the Tufts European Center.

“Sophie et Adam”

One of the most memorable performances at the Priory this summer was by the duo, Sophie et Adam, a performance couple with wonderful ties to Tufts and Talloires. Sophie Michaux grew up in Menthon Saint Bernard and did her music studies at the Longy school in Cambridge, MA.  Her husband, Adam Simon, received his master’s in musicology at Tufts.

They are currently based in Massachusetts, but we were thrilled to take advantage of their annual return to Menthon to host a concert at Priory.  Known for their eclectic mix of traditional and original music, their repertoire includes folk tunes from England, the US, Romania, Argentina, Yiddish songs, and French chansons. We were thrilled to welcome a large crowd of neighbors and friends to the Priory for their concert which embodied the cultural exchange celebrated by the MacJannet legacy.

A singer and two cellist play music at the Priory in Talloires, the Tufts European Center.

Musical Journeys: Neruda and Satie

Pablo Neruda: Un Voyage Poétique Musical combined the cellos of the Corde & Âme duo with the spoken word, bringing a beautiful musical texture to Neruda's poetry​.  Satie en Voyage, with pianist Aurélien Richard, transported the audience on a wonderful journey into the whimsical world of Erik Satie.

We hosted a number of other musical events all of which brought the local community to the European Center and reinforced our role as a cultural hub for Talloires and the surrounding villages.

As we reflect on this summer’s events, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Charlotte MacJannet and the continued vibrancy of the Priory as a center for music, education, and international connection.