Folias Duo set to bring 20 years of ‘not so common’ classical charm to Grand Haven's Loutit Library

By Enrique Olmos and John Sinkevics
LocalSpins.com

When the Folias Duo brings their “not so common” original classical compositions to Grand Haven’s Loutit Library for a concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15, they’ll be adding another performance to their 20-plus-year legacy of flute-and-guitar charm.

Flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron, who first connected over a love of classical music and composing while at Michigan State University in 2002, have since crisscrossed the continent with their calming strains.

“We’ve been at this for 20 years out of Grand Rapids — 700-plus concerts, completely independent,” said Maret. 

Bergeron said it all was sparked by “an interest in adventure mixed with our craft. We were both pursuing classical music, but with a diverse interest in all different kinds of music. We both wanted to explore more musically, and explore more of the world physically by traveling. And I guess it kind of just started working.”

Folias Duo last week embarked on a Great Lakes Tour, which saw the classically trained musicians travel to Canada for three shows in Ontario, presented by the Niagara Classics Concert Series. After a concert in Detroit and Sunday’s show in Grand Haven, they’ll perform April 12 at Fennville’s Salt of the Earth and April 19 for the Milwood Fine Arts Series in Kalamazoo.

They released a new single, “Lake Ontario,” earlier this month, with plans to release their ninth studio album, “Great Lakes,” in August.

“I think it’s not so common that classical musicians just take their show on the road, right? But it’s something we’ve always done. From the very first summer that we met. We went out West and played churches, libraries and noisy bars,” said Maret.

“We just did it. It’s always just something we’ve done. We’re also composers, too, which is also rare to see composers-performers in classical music. They’re usually separate. But for us, I think it’s a natural fit, because we compose and we can stand up there and represent ourselves.”

While traveling, the duo camps during the warmer seasons. They get a variety of reactions when they emerge from their camper with instruments in hand, dressed in full performance wear.

“We love to be outside, and we’re kind of big hikers and all those outdoor activities. But we show up, and people are like, ‘Oh, my God, you guys are freaks’ in terms of the cultural part of it,” said Maret.

“Because we usually show up all dressed up. They’re like, ‘Did you get out of the tent like that?’ But then I think once people hear our music, it has this calming, healing quality.”

When the music starts, the questions evaporate, leaving only the delicate dance of guitar and flute. Bergeron lays down an intricate layer of plucked strings while Maret laces gorgeous melodies between the spaces, rotating between five different flutes.

“I think what we’re trying to cultivate is an experience for the listener that comes with an open mind to experience something new. Life’s kind of hard. And I think coming to one of our shows would allow someone to let go or take a break,” said Bergeron.

“I think the idea for the listener is to come with an open mind and then to go on a journey that they don’t have to prescribe and that doesn’t have any exact rules.”

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email editor John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.