Wake up and hear the coffee! Novel orchestra to perform next week

Friday 08 July 2022

A concerto which has a coffee machine as a soloist is one of the many quirks of a new live music festival taking place next week.

Isle Joyeuse is directed by Jerseyman and internationally renowned cellist Gerard Le Feuvre.

Mr Feuvre leads the Kings Chamber Orchestra, whose 25-year history of visiting the island was only disrupted by the pandemic.

The 20-strong orchestra will perform at various venues around Jersey from Tuesday until next Sunday. They include the Fishermen’s Chapel next to St. Brelade’s Parish Church, St. Paul’s Church and the Town Church. 

The KCO will also give concerts for schools and perform in King Street at 11:00 on Tuesday.

A number of concerts are free, including one titled ‘String Romance’ at the Town Church at 12:30 on Tuesday, and a Festival Service at 11:00 at St Paul’s Church on Sunday 17 July.

Pictured: The 20-strong King's Chamber Orchestra will be performing in Jersey next week.

Mr Le Feuvre said: “Our music is both accessible and affordable, and includes classical, film, folk and other genres.

“A concert next Saturday, called ‘A Summer to Remember’, will include Jersey’s first performance of the KCO’s epic ‘Tchaikoffee Concerto’ for Coffee Machine and Orchestra.

“I bought a coffee machine, and it made a heap of noise, so I decided to incorporate it into a piece of music. 

“During one performance in the UK, our ‘soloist’ collapsed but was resuscitated in Jersey thanks to Nigel Crespel in his repair workshop, and our mechanical musician was brought back to life.”

Mr Le Feuvre described the KCO’s performances as “entertaining, semi-comedic and quirky with some beautiful pieces of music.”

A highlight, he said, would be a performance of Vivaldi’s ‘Summer’ by Moldavian violinist Grig Cuciuc by candlelight at St. Paul’s Centre on Tuesday.

Pictured: After Mr Le Feuvre bought a coffee machine, which made a "heap of noise", he was inspired to create the 'Tchaicoffee Concerto'. 

“He is one of the most outstanding violinists I have ever met,” said Mr Le Feuvre. 

“With a repertoire from classics to the silver screen, a talent for improvisation and a wonderfully humorous way of presenting concerts, the KCO have built up an annual following of up to 15,000 people a year,” he said.

“We fly under the banner of ‘affordable for all and I firmly believe that the orchestra can bring an unexpected smile to anyone willing to give us a try.”

Tickets can bought at www.islejoyeuse.cool.