Richard Cowan, Founder of the Festival

How did you discover Belle-Ile en Mer?

I was between performances of Bluebeard's Castle, in Berlin, I had enough free days to travel a bit. I came back to Paris, it was cold and grey.. I called my sister in the States, she said why not go somewhere I hadn't been, get out of the big cities in that drab part of the year (early April).. She suggested Brittany, as she had been a cultural exchange student there, in Sarzeau, some years before. So I grabbed a couple of guide books, and literally locked the door and metroed down to Montparnasse and bought a ticket towards Quimper.. I read about Belle-Ile, and one book said, "If you are nearby, don't miss Belle-Ile en Mer!!".. So I jumped off at Auray, called to find a hotel room (I still look at that same Cabine Telephonique at the station in Auray when I pass through!) and booked a room at the Hotel de Bretagne.. I was told how to take the bus, and then the boat... I must say that arriving into Le Palais on the boat was so incredible - the sun setting, the colours, seeing that sweet, tidy little town for the first time... it remains a very beautiful and exhilarating memory for me... That evening, I rented a bike, and toured the whole Island the next day... And I promptly fell in love with Belle-Ile en Mer!!

Why did you decide to create this festival?

Because... It is something I had wanted to do for a long time, but I never could seem to find the right place... In Paris, in New York, a little Festival like ours would be swallowed up by bigger theatres... It would not have the same "specialness" that it has on Belle-Ile.
Belle-Ile has a natural beauty, people are already attracted to this corner of the world for the light, the rugged nature, the cliffs, the beaches -- all that was a "plus" already...
And further, we are all "prisoners" on the island at night!
The Citadelle Vauban seemed the perfect, "cadre" for the Festival--charming yet imposing...
A friend made an appointment for me to meet Madame Larquetoux.. When I arrived in the Arsenal, she walked toward me and said "you claim to be a singer, so sing!!"
Nervously, I did a bit of Scarpia from Tosca, and she said.. "D'accord.. so tell me about this Opera Gala idea..." And the Festival was born!
I learned that there were many people locally, as well as tourists and summer residents, who were interested in well-sung opera... We learned this the very first summer: though I was warned there would be only 50 people attending the Opera Gala, on Aug 14th, 1998 we had over 600!! (and riots in the couloirs for the best seats!). Now we limit ourselves to 450 seats per performance.

How do you explain the Festival' success?

Opera is a very, very expensive art form, probably the most expensive live event. One needs singers, an orchestra, a venue, costumes, a set... In the real world, even if every ticket were sold, there is still a debt. We have many wonderful sponsors, both public and private, who help us to carry on.
We continue to exist for several reasons - mostly because of the dedication of many people who are very hard working, who share this vision about what the Festival is, and what it can someday become.
Also, we put quality first- we have very good singers, orchestra players, maestri and a strong artistic team... plus a very dedicated chorus which work 8 months to prepare themselves for their summer tasks... Further, our "logistique" team is small but efficient, they know what to do, and how to do it, with the minimum of fuss.
If we were selling a product" that was only mediocre, people would not remain interested after awhile, even with massive marketing.
We actually do minimal marketing, but are becoming better and better known because of our insistence on quality year after year.
Further, the social aspect of the Festival is important. It is a place for Bellilois and Tourists to meet and share a common experience... That great communion in the dark of the theatre: hearing a thrilling voice, being moved by a Mozart Aria, and sharing these thoughts in conversation at intermission with neighbours and friends.
I am thrilled by the fact that the Festival gives people on the Island a reason to regularly visit the Citadelle Vauban, to see new productions in this 340 year old Building, to greet Madame Larquetoux and exchange a few words with her, to help "vibrate" this lovely old Military Fortress.... Finally, it is such a pleasure for me that, for instance, The Magic Flute has NEVER been seen or produced on this island.. there is a great sense of doing something "for the first time", pioneers again. It is a great satisfaction for us, as well as for our public I would think...

Interviewed by Sophie Lagane - May 2004