Seventh Annual Les Comédiens Français Lecture Explores Women’s Contributions to Music in New Orleans

Presentation will feature Peter Collins and Thais St. Julien

WHO: The Historic New Orleans Collection

with pianist Peter Collins and vocalist Thais St. Julien

WHAT: Seventh Annual Les Comédiens Français Lecture:

“A Touch of the Muse: Ladies of New Orleans and Their Music”

WHEN: Thursday, July 9, 2009 • 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Williams Research Center, The Historic New Orleans Collection, 410 Chartres Street

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

HOW: Free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations, call (504) 523-4662 or e-mail wrc@hnoc.org. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org.

WHY: The Historic New Orleans Collection continues to explore the city’s rich musical heritage with the seventh annual Les Comédiens Lecture Series. This year’s program examines the frequently overlooked contributions of women—New Orleans’s female composers, performers and educators— many of whom garnered local, national and international significance.

The program, titled “A Touch of the Muse: Ladies of New Orleans and their Music,” will examine the works of Marguerite Elie Samuel, an educator; Camille Nickerson, a collector and arranger of Creole folksongs; and Genevieve Pitot, an active performer and composer for six decades of the 20th century, among others. In addition, the presentation will look at the influence of religious orders, particularly Sr. M. Seraphine of the Sisters of the Holy Family, on the musical community.

The program, which will take place on Thursday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street, will feature a concert with Peter Collins, piano, and Thais St. Julien, soprano. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations call (504) 523-4662 or e-mail wrc@hnoc.org.

The Les Comédiens Français Lecture is an annual event dedicated to exploring an aspect of French culture—particularly the performing arts—as it relates to New Orleans. The series was established by the theatre group Les Comédiens Français, which was organized in 1934 to promote, foster, and perpetuate the French language and culture in New Orleans. After presenting more than 50 years of stage productions in French, the group became inactive and established its annual lecture series at The Collection.

The Historic New Orleans Collection—Preserving our Past for a Brighter Future.