Concert at the Château Chabrol in Châlus

FAVA
We had a lovely evening last night; we attended a concert of Opera Airs by French composers performed by FAVA (Franco American Vocal Association) [http://favaopera.org/EngHome.html]. The concert was held at the Château Chabrol in Châlus (known as a major site in the Richard the Lionheart story).  The chateau is privately owned and consists of a private section where the family lives (they’re Dutch) and the great hall where the concert was, the keep and various sections of wall, arches and other ruins in the grounds (which are open to the public) It was a gorgeous setting and there was much wonderful music (and a very civilized glass of wine in the castle grounds during the intermission). FAVA looks to be an interesting organization. They offer a 6 six-week program, have approximately 35 students, nearly all from the US. I had a nice chat with some of the students, who range in age from 19 to 25. They stay in a dorm in Périgueux and walk to the conservatory where they work/practice/rehearse sometimes 7 days/week and have a series of performances, of different types, at various venues around the area.