Harpist Valérie Milot is the first harpist in almost a century to win the prestigious Prix d'Europe, an award she received in 2008.
Performer Biography
Soprano Karina Gauvin is renowned for her mastery of the baroque repertoire but also performs works by composers like Bach, Mahler, Britten, and contemporary music.
Historical Context
Marie Hubert, a 17th-century pioneer of the Quebec nation, was one of 764 "Filles du Roy" (King's Daughters) sent to New France by King Louis XIV and his intendant Jean Talon between 1663 and 1673 to help populate the New World.
Performer Biography
Conductor Claude Lapalme, who arranged many pieces on this album, founded Rosa Barocca, an Alberta-based ensemble dedicated to performing baroque music on period instruments, which won a Juno Award in 2023.
Composer Biography
Marie Hubert, a 15-year-old orphan, sailed to New France in 1670, married Nicolas Fournier a month after arriving in Québec, and later, after his death, married shipowner Jean Gaschet.
Album & Artwork
The album "Marie Hubert, Fille du Roy" is based on an original idea by soprano Karina Gauvin, who also performs on the album.
Recording & Production
The album's concept originated during the pandemic when Karina Gauvin unearthed old folk harmonizations by Canadian musicians like Gabriel Cusson and Sir Ernest MacMillan.
