On June 13, as part of Festival Classica, harpist Valérie Milot will premiere Nebulæ, an intimate concert that offers a philosophical reflection on existence through an exploration of astronomy. In this interview with Judith Hamel, the artist takes us behind the scenes of the project’s creation.

PAN M 360: Nebulæ is presented as a philosophical reflection on existence through an exploration of astronomical phenomena. What inspired you to create a production around this theme?

Valérie Milot: To me, science and music are not so far apart. I have always been interested in scientific advances, and if there is one field in which they are truly fascinating, it is astronomy. The images captured by modern space telescopes are breathtakingly beautiful. That same sense of wonder, which allows us to dream, can also be found in music.

It is also very important to me to include a narrative thread in my productions. With this project, I wanted to offer a reflection inspired by the legacy of Carl Sagan and Hubert Reeves, two great scientists who were also remarkable communicators, and whose ideas remain timeless.

PAN M 360: Without giving too much away, how will this theme unfold throughout the concert?

Valérie Milot: It is, of course, a harp concert, but the spoken texts play a central role and invite the audience to reflect through the musical interludes. A set made up of various illuminated elements reveals the beauty of space.

It is a performance in which audiences are invited to discover or rediscover concepts related to astronomy and evolution, to reflect, but also to laugh with me.

PAN M 360: The works on the program are highly varied, ranging from Gluck to Arvo Pärt and Denis Gougeon, with several of your own arrangements. Are there any pieces you are particularly looking forward to sharing with the audience?

Valérie Milot: Absolutely, especially the works written specifically for Nebulæ: Au cœur de l’étoile by Quebec composer Denis Gougeon, and Lux by Amélie Fortin. Both composers are dear friends, and their works were woven into the narrative fabric of the performance.

PAN M 360: What does the harp allow you to explore and express in this particular program?

Valérie Milot: The harp has been my companion for 30 years now. I have a deeply personal, almost symbiotic relationship with it. It accompanies my reflections, while also standing as a witness to human evolution. With only 300,000 years of history behind us, we humans still have much to learn about our universe.

The harp I play today demonstrates our ability to develop complex tools through which we can express ourselves and explore the universe. From the rudimentary musical bow with only a few strings to the complex instrument I now play, with its 47 strings and seven pedals, we can see the full extent of human ingenuity. It is a form of intelligence that can lead us toward extraordinary odysseys, but can also bring about our downfall.

PAN M 360: June 13 will mark the premiere of this new production, which will then go on tour. Are there any venues or settings where you are particularly excited to present the concert?

Valérie Milot: I am immensely grateful to Festival Classica and its director, Marc Boucher, for once again giving me the opportunity to premiere one of my productions. Following this performance, we will make the final adjustments before embarking on a tour of approximately 20 dates during the 2025–26 season. We hope to tour the production for about three years.

Every performance is unique, and each city we visit gives me the opportunity to meet extraordinary people.

An important milestone will be the Montreal premiere on October 7 at Salle Bourgie, which will also serve as the album launch.