THE SYMPHONIC TALE OF A VIOLINIST AND HER SURGEON
WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU HAVE CANCER, YOUR WORLD CRUMBLES.
MAESTRIA IS A PROFOUNDLY HUMAN TALE WHERE MUSIC TOGETHER WITH THOUGHTS AND VISUALS, CONVEY A UNIVERSAL MESSAGE OF HOPE.
MAESTRIA WILL BRING PEOPLE COMFORT AND HOPE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE DEALING WITH HARDSHIP IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
THE STARTING POINT &
THE MEETING
A renowned violinist beats breast cancer with serenity. A few months later, she learns that she's a carrier for a genetic mutation linked to cancer - meaning there's an almost-certain chance she'll develop another cancer. She's confronted with a heavy dilemma : to live the rest of her life with the fear of a recurring illness, or opt preventive surgery. She makes the difficult and brave decision to get operated.
Despite all of this, Anne Robert was luck enough to be in the care of a distinguished doctors, among them the greatly plastic surgeon Dr. Alain Gagnon. He uses a new technique and successfully performs free-flap reconstruction. They formed a natural friendship, especially given the surgeon's own musical abilities.
MAESTRIA :
THE PROJECT
Anne Robert wanted to share her experience with as many people as she could. She had a visceral need to tell her story and support patients feeling lost and alone once confronted with a diagnosis. The discoveries on genes and their mutations are still new, but the medical world is becoming increasingly aware of these findings and of genetically linked cancers. But patients often find themselves facing the unknown alone. That's what pushed the musician and her surgeon to create this Maestria project, which brings a message of hope to each individual.
ANNE ROBERT
Accomplished artist and violinist Anne Robert is renowned for her "sensibility, warm sound, dexterity and elegant phrasing" (The Strad Magazine, London). She enjoys an active career and regularly plays in Europe, the United States, Asia and across Canada. Anne Robert is a member of Trio Hochelaga, which she founded in 2000. She performs regularly with the organist Jacques Boucher. In 2012, she developed with Dr. Alain Gagnon Maestria, an artistic charity project benefiting various foundations, including the Fondation du CHUM, to support the Prevention and Treatment for Genetically Linked Cancers Foundation.
She received the highest diplomas in interpretation from Indiana University, from the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. Anne Robert's discography contains more than thirty-five repertoire and her particular affinity for French music. Renowned pedagogue, she teaches at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and at the International Summer Academy of the Orford Arts Center.
Anne Robert plays on the 1730 Guarnerius del Gesù's Warren-Freen violin gracefully made available by Canimex Inc., Drummondville (QC), Canada.
ALAIN GAGNON
From La Sarre in Abitibi, Alain Gagnon began his musical studies at Pierre-Laporte High School in the Town of Mount Royal. He then enrolled at the École de musique Vincent-d'Indy, where he was taught by the renowned Sister Lucille Brassard. He studied for his degree in interpretation in Pierre Jasmin and Henri Brassard's classes at the Université du Québec à Montréal. He has made solo appearances, notably with the I Musici de Montréal Chamber Orchestra. He has won numerous prizes in different competitions, including music competitions in Quebec and Canada.
In 1991, he switched careers to study science, earning a degree in biochemistry at the Université de Montréal. After receiving his doctorate of medicine at McGill University, he completed his residency in plastic surgery in 2005 at the Université de Montréal. He then completed another year of training in microsurgery and perforator flaps at the Ghent University Hospital. He has been practicing plastic surgery at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) since 2007, focusing on breast surgery and aesthetic surgery. An active member of the community, he won the J.-P. Bossé Award, handed out by CHUM residents to an instructor for the quality of their teaching. In 2012, he developed with violinist Anne Robert Maestria, an artistic charity projet benefiting various foundations, including the Fondation du CHUM.
THE MUSICIANS
MAESTRIA OFFERS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WHERE MUSIC IS USED TO EVOKE REFLECTION AND INTROSPECTION.
IT CONVEYS VARIOUS EMOTIONS THAT ARE TOUCHING TO THE AUDIENCE ON MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS.
THE SHOW
The show Maestria - The Symphonic Tale of a Violinist and Her Surgeon, presents a conscious, touching and reassuring first-experience. Anne Robert, confronted with an illness, tells the story of her intense journey and the crucial stages she had to go through.
We'll follow her tumultuous journey, like that of a quest, that will lead to serenity and to an exceptional meeting, lucky in its coincidence. This meeting with her surgeon will lead to an unexpected friendship, represented by the pair of musicians sharing the stage and performing in front of you.
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