Musique Royale

09/18/2025

This Friday, in Blue Rocks, award-winning guitarist Adam Cicchillitti brings his deeply personal and artfully curated journey in his program ‘Contrasts’.

From the baroque brilliance of Scarlatti and Bach, to the lush colours of Debussy, the fiery passion of Barrios, the bold voices of 21st-century composers like Suzie Auclair and Benjamin Dwyer, and even some traditional melodies from Newfoundland, each piece in this program contributes something unique in what will be a concert that journeys through centuries of music in the historic St. Barnabas Church.

📅 Friday, September 19
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Blue Rocks, NS

09/11/2025

🎟️ Just a few days left to get your tickets for one of Musique Royale’s most anticipated events of the season!

🎻 Blue Engine String Quartet
📍 Memory Lane Heritage Village, Lake Charlotte
📅 Saturday, September 13 | 5 PM
Set in the nostalgic charm of a 1940s heritage village, the evening begins with an evocative program by the Blue Engine String Quartet, known for their powerful interpretations and commitment to music with meaning.

✨ Stay for the ‘Inspired by the Musique’ Dinner, where every course is a culinary homage to the composers and stories behind the music.
🎟️ + 🍽️Concert & Dinner: $75 (Vegetarian option available by request)
🎟️ Concert Only: 30$

Don’t miss out — Book your tickets now at musiqueroyale.com.

09/10/2025

Thanks to everyone in the audiences of our 40th Summer Festival! Here are some highlights from Spanish Baroque quartet Harmonia Del Parnas’ summer tour and Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers in Lunenburg.

Looking forward we have these events coming up this month:

Sat Sept 13: Blue Engine String Quartet (Lake Charlotte)
Fri Sept 19: Guitarist Adam Cicchillitti (Blue Rocks)
Tues Sept 30:"Apaja'timk ta'n Wetepeksulti'kw" (Liverpool)

Tickets and more information at musiqueroyale.com

09/09/2025

Musique Royale is honoured to be working with Two Feathers Mi’kmaq Designs for a Mawio'mi (formal gathering) this September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation happening at the Hank Snow Museum in Liverpool.

This year’s title and theme is  Apaja'timk ta'n Wetepeksulti'kw- Reconnecting to Our Roots.

The day’s events  begin with Elder Alan Knockwood & guest speakers at 11am, continuing with a Grand Entry at 1pm featuring MC Michael R. Denny, The Stoney Bear Singers, East Boyz, Ko’jua dancing, a candy dance, and more.

There will be vendors and food trucks on site to enjoy. All are welcome. Free to attend.

09/05/2025

Montreal-born guitarist Adam Cicchillitti is a “virtuoso at the height of his game” (Classical Guitar Magazine).

Musique Royale is pleased to present Adam’s program 'Contrasts’ on Friday September 19th at 7 pm in Blue Rocks, at St. Barnabas Anglican Church.

Contrasts will bridges centuries of music from multiple continents through the lens of modern guitar. From evocative, folk-inspired textures to introspective modern works, each piece contributes to a narrative of reinvention, resilience, and artistic discovery.

🎟️ Tickets: musiqueroyale.com
📅 Admission: $20 advance, $25 at the door, youth free

About Adam Cicchillitti:

Montreal-born guitarist Adam Cicchillitti has received widespread critical acclaim in recent years. The renowned American magazine Classical Guitar described him as a “virtuoso at the height of his game,” while CBC Music praised him as an “ardent ambassador of classical guitar.” Since 2019, Adam has commissioned over 20 new works and recorded six albums with the Analekta, Atma Classique, and Leaf Music labels. His album Focus, dedicated to new Canadian music for two guitars, won Classical Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards in 2021, while Impressions intimes was nominated in the same category in 2022. In February 2025, he released an album of six new commissions for two guitars and strings, entitled Re/String, with a second album of original arrangements, entitled Lyrique, slated for release later in the year.

Adam earned second place in 2023 and third place in 2021 at the Guitar Foundation of America International Ensemble Competition, widely regarded as the most prestigious guitar ensemble competition in the world. He is also the second guitarist to win the grand prize at the Canimex Concerto Competition in Sherbrooke and has been a finalist and prizewinner in more than a dozen national and international competitions.

He has toured extensively across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, represented by prestigious agencies such as Prairie Debut, Debut Atlantic, and Jeunesses Musicales. Adam is the guitar professor at Mount Allison University, holds a Doctorate in Music Performance from McGill University, and is the founder of the Ottawa Suzuki Strings guitar program.

Musique Royale is an organization based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, dedicated to promoting traditional and early music in historic venues throughout the province. Since its founding in 1985, Musique Royale has continued to celebrate venues of architectural and historic significance, and bring world-c...

09/04/2025

What are you having for dinner next Saturday night?...

May we suggest the ‘Inspired by the Musique' menu in a cozy cookhouse after savouring a performance by the splendid Blue Engine String Quartet? Let's take a look at dinner:

🥖 Mini Ciabatta & Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon with Balsamic Drizzle
🍗 Coq au Vin – Chicken in a rich bacon, Burgundy wine & thyme sauce
🍰 Irish Whiskey Chocolate Cheesecake

Vegetarian options available with advance notice.

🎶 Each dish is inspired by the program — from Italian classics to French favourites, and even a sweet nod to Canada’s own Leonard Cohen.

Saturday, September 13 at 5 PM

🎟️ + 🍽️Concert & Dinner: $75
🎟️ Concert Only: 30$

09/01/2025

It is high time that we celebrate the ‘Remembrances’ tour we had as part of our 40th Summer Festival. Ziya Tabassian and his quartet gave audiences stunningly beautiful, animated performances of Ziya’s compositions across Nova Scotia. The audiences were also special, listening and sharing their presence.

As we move into September’s glow, we hope to see you at what’s coming up:

Sept 13: Pianist Philip Chiu (Mahone Bay)
Sat Sept 13: Blue Engine String Quartet (Lake Charlotte)
Fri Sept 19: Guitarist Adam Cicchillitti (Blue Rocks)
Mon Sept 29: Soprano Dame Emma Kirkby (Mahone Bay)
Tues Sept 30:"Apaja'timk ta'n Wetepeksulti'kw" (Liverpool)

Tickets and more information at musiqueroyale.com

music



Thanks to the wonderful venues on this tour, as well!

in Riverport
in Shelburne
in Margaretsville
midsummermusic series at
Alexander Graham bell museum in Baddeck!

& St. Thomas Anglican Church in Kingsport

08/29/2025

How many pianists do you know who have performed atop a snowy mountain? Philip Chiu, our featured guest Sept 13 at Cecilia’s Retreat, has done just that! (With the support of a ski team!).

🎵 Come be transported into impressionist and modernist French repertoire with Phil’s performance on Saturday September 13 at 4pm at Cecilia’s Retreat. $35, admission by advance reservation, please email [email protected] to attend.

🎹 The following day, Philip will give a series of masterclasses with emerging pianists. These activities take place at Cecilia's Retreat in Mahone Bay (1199 Oakland Rd, RR2). email [email protected] with the selection of music (from the impressionist or modernist French repertoire) to work on with Philip. There is no cost to participate, thanks to a generous donor.

Mécénat Musica 85.3 Phil Chiu - Ginastera: IV. Ruvido ed ostinato, Sonata op.1 no.22 piano: Phil Chiu.Site: Mica Heliskiing, Revelstoke BC, mar 16 2016.Cinéa...

08/24/2025

Musique Royale announces two days of music with the exceptional Canadian pianist Philip Chiu. Featured guest of our spotlight series, Philip will bring audiences closely into the impressionist and modernist French repertoire with a performance on Saturday September 13 at 4pm. The following day, Philip will give a series of masterclasses with emerging pianists. These activities take place at Cecilia's Retreat in Mahone Bay (1199 Oakland Rd, RR2).

“A pianist-painter who transforms each musical idea into a beautiful array of colours” (La Presse), Philip Chiu is acclaimed for his brilliant pianism, sensitive listening, and a stage presence that favours openness, authenticity and dialogue with audiences. Winner of the 2023 JUNO for Best Classical Solo Album and inaugural winner of the Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer (Canada’s largest prize for an emerging Classical performer), Philip has become one of Canada’s leading musicians through his love of music and his passion for creation and communication.

Concert: Saturday Sept 13, at 4 pm - $35, admission by advance reservation, please email [email protected] to attend.
Masterclass: Sunday Sept 14, 10 am to 5 pm - Emerging artists are encouraged to sign up, and can email [email protected] with the selection of music (from the impressionist or modernist French repertoire) to work on with Philip. There is no cost to participate, and lunch will be provided.

Musique Royale is grateful to a generous, unnamed supporter for sponsorship of the spotlight series and these masterclasses.

08/13/2025

Join Musique Royale for five performances by the Halifax Rättvik Trio part of our 40th Summer Festival. Featuring Jennifer Publicover (flutes); Peter Rousu (guitar, bass), and Stefan Ekedahl (cello, spelpipor, bagpipes), the trio is a trans-Atlantic collaboration and exploration of the folk genres of Sweden and Canada, including diversions to geographical points in between! Performing music from their new album Havet, concerts will include lots of polskas and Swedish tunes of various types, with original compositions of Peter’s, and tunes Quebec and the Maritimes. Maritimers who enjoy Celtic-type genres will find this a delightful and fresh new soundscape to explore!

🎶Tour Itinerary:
Thursday August 14 at 7 pm - Sacred Heart Church, Johnstown
Friday August 15 at 7 pm - St. Paul's Anglican Church, Antigonish
Sunday August 17 at 3 pm - St. John's Anglican Church, Bell Island
Friday August 22 at 7 pm - St John's Anglican Church, Wolfville
Sunday August 24 at 2:30 pm - St George’s Round Church, Halifax

🎟️ Admission: $25 at the door, $20 advance, youth free (some exceptions apply)

Part of Musique Royale’s 40th Summer Festival, the Halifax Rättvik Trio’s tour invites audiences to discover Nova Scotia’s historic venues with performances in Johnstown, Antigonish, Bell Island, Wolfville and Halifax.

08/13/2025

Hi everyone, due to unforseen circumstances the upcoming Halifax Rättvik Trio concert in Parrsboro has been cancelled. However, we will welcome the Halifax Rättvik Trio to perform in Wolfville on Friday August 22 at 7 pm, at St John's Anglican Church (164 Main St), in lieu of this performance. We look forward to seeing you for concerts in Johnstown, Antigonish, Bell Island, Wolfville and Halifax for the concert tour, starting tomorrow!

🎟️🎶 Tickets: musiqueroyale.com