04/21/2026
Friday Night! SSB presents Ménestrel in "The Order of Good Cheer".
All Saints by-the-Sea, 7:00 pm, Friday April 24th.
From Montreal, Ménestrel is not your typical period-instrument ensemble. By juxtaposing early music with folk traditions—the "true songs of the people"—the group aims to demystify ancient repertoire. In Friday's concert, they will showcase the melodies that forged the foundations of French-Canadian culture, proving that music from four centuries ago remains as timeless and relevant today as it was then.
Ménestrelwas co-founded by two of Canada’s most compelling emerging artists: Janelle Lucyk and Kerry Bursey.
Janelle Lucyk is a celebrated soprano, violinist and producer specializing in historically informed performance. A graduate of the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles and Durham University, she balances a busy performance schedule with major administrative roles, including serving as the Artistic and Administrative Director of Musique Royale in Nova Scotia. She also directs the new ArtChoral series at the historic La Grande Salle du 9e in Montreal.
Kerry Bursey, a tenor and plucked-string instrumentalist, is known for a "dreamy troubadouresque sweetness" in his performances. He is a sought-after lutenist, theorbo player and guitarist who specializes in the art of self-accompaniment. In addition to his work with Ménestrel, he regularly performs as a soloist with renowned groups such as Ensemble Caprice and the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal.
Their upcoming program features an evocative selection of songs inspired by the sea, the "new world," and universal themes of hope. It is a rare opportunity to hear world-class early music in an intimate local setting.
More information is available at saltspringbaroque.com. Tickets are available at saltspringbaroque.com, at artspring.ca, and at the door
