Editorial

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Months after the enthusiasm arising from the Montreal Cultural Summit 2007 last November, the state of culture in Montreal and Canada is somewhat mixed. Our conversation with Simon Brault, the architect of the summit, shows that the momentum is still there. However, recent events related to the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur, the changes to CBC Radio Two programming, as well as the proposed amendments to Bill C-10 (federal legislation that would effectively allow the Heritage Department to deny tax credits to artistic projects deemed offensive or not in the public interest) show that the arts is still under attack. La SCENA tracks these stories and offers you full coverage of the arts scene through our previews for visual arts, film and theatre, an extensive spring arts calendar, and the launch of our 1st Annual International Arts Festival Guide. On the musical side, this month’s La Scena Musicale puts internationally recognized Canadian pianist Anton Kuerti in the spotlight. Lucie Renaud’s interview with Mr. Kuerti reveals his deep passion for sincere communication through music and his unending commitment to passing his enormous gift to the next generation of musicians. We’ll also give you a closer look at violinist/composer Ruth Fazal and her remarkable piece, Oratorio Terezin, which will be performed in early May at Place-des-Arts. The composition is a stunning full-scale work for orchestra, choirs and soloists, and its text draws upon poetry written by children from the ghetto of Terezin during the Holocaust.