A little known musical heritage
Unlike neighboring regions (look westward...), the musical folklore of Normandy is largely unknown. One of the reasons for this is the language. Indeed, the Norman language has been divided for a very long time into sometimes very different dialects, in multiple geographical areas - some of them still survive a little today, especially among the older people. It is difficult, under these conditions, to allow the works to be known and to survive. In the same register, certain typical dances of the Channel have disappeared: if memory allows us to keep the memory of these artistic techniques, perhaps we will see them again one day. Nevertheless, we can note that some musical expressions having a relationship with the department have free rein here. Thus, sea songs are still sung in some rare sea festivals. But let's admit it: the music of Manche has not yet been the object of a serious rehabilitation. One day, perhaps? In the meantime, La Manche is making up for it in a big way, first of all by means of an incredible list of festivities.
Events for everyone, all year round
It is difficult to list them all, but keep in mind that the department is known to be the setting for the organization of countless events, from the most modest to the most imposing. Musically speaking, the styles honored are, there too, difficult to count, so much they swarm. We will start our review of these with the inevitable " Jazz sous les Pommiers ", in Coutances. Nothing predestined the event, when it was created in 1982, to become such a success. However, word of mouth quickly spread and the organizers worked hard to make the event one of the biggest of its kind. In May, tens of thousands of fans of the genre flocked to the shadow of the cathedral to hear the great national and international names of jazz. At the same time, the success of the event has led to numerous events in the city. More recently, another dedicated festival, "Jazz en Baie", has been held every summer for the past ten years in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, from Granville to the shores of the marvel. Finally, still on the Jazz side, the rural communes included in the territory of Saint-Lô Agglo benefit from a dedicated program, logically called " Jazz dans les Prés ".
Another well-known event is the " Papillons de Nuit " festival. The event, which sees tens of thousands of festival-goers flock each year, is held over 3 days towards the end of May, in the fields of Saint-Laurent-de-Cuves in the southeast of the department. The artistic line-up is always very impressive, and the team succeeds every year in bringing internationally known artists: Charlie Winston, Pete Doherty, Placebo or Iggy Pop, for example, have made the crowds dance here. We will spare you the incredible list of French references, which also compares with the biggest festivals. And yet, nothing predestined the event to become what it has become: the first editions were held in the small town hall! In the same vein, we will remember " Chauffer dans la Noirceur ", in Montmartin-sur-Mer: eclectic programming and headliners follow one another every year in July! At the same time, the public sways to the sounds of rock, hip-hop, reggae or electro during the festival "Son d'Euh Lo" (the interjection being very common here!), in Tessy-Bocage, which has become a reference in the field since 2012.
On the side of French song, Saint-Lô hosts the "Rendez-Vous Soniques". In several rooms of the city, artists follow one another during several days, generally spread out during the first two weeks of November: Etienne Daho, Grand Corps Malade, Benjamin Biolay or Catherine Ringer are among the most prestigious artists who have made the public of the prefectural city sing.
In another register, classical music is never far away: in Lessay for example, the splendid abbey is the setting for the "Heures Musicales". From mid-July to mid-August, from chamber music to vocal recitals and organ music, nothing is missing to allow you to spend poetic, serene and, sometimes, exciting moments. Finally, the Festival "Les Traversées de Tatihou" offers on the small island a nice event, accessible only at low tide, and which invites to travel and to get away from it all with an often eclectic program. One goes there for the music of course, but also for the marine atmosphere.
Cinema and the arts
If La Manche is a land of cinema, the dedicated soundtracks are numerous. How can we not evoke here the Umbrellas of Cherbourg ? No, I can never live without you / I can not, do not go, I will die / A moment without you and I do not exist / Oh my love, do not leave me " sings Catherine Deneuve to his beloved, who must leave the capital of Cotentin. The 17 titles of the work, known worldwide, have contributed to the fame of the city. Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand's creation in Manche shows many of the city's neighborhoods, which are the setting for a tourist trail. Finally, note that here, music is the natural accompaniment of other arts. Thus the " Art'Zimutés ", in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, explores all cultural forms, and in particular the living arts. The ensemble is naturally accompanied by large-scale musical performances, in the favourable setting of the city's green beach. Finally, it is in the capital of the Cotentin that the "Spring" festival is held. Now geographically extended over the whole of Normandy, it develops about sixty events around the circus arts.
Quality spaces
As you will see, the facilities here are of very high quality. Throughout its territory, La Manche has a network of dedicated concert halls, often very recent, and whose acoustics are often highly prized. At the same time, the heritage, especially religious, is put to good use: concerts and recitals are numerous. Here, we love music in all its forms.
