Frome Festival has invited two talented young musicians from Paris to perform a special recital on Father’s Day as part of its 25th anniversary fundraising drive. Violinist Madeleine Athané-Best and pianist Mathilde Nguyen will draw on their French heritage to present “Romance & Impressionism”, a programme exploring one of the most creative periods in French music.
Madeleine has close ties to Frome as her mother, Dulcie Best, is best known locally as the owner of Popicoq on Vicarage Street. A costume designer who spent 26 years in Paris, Dulcie has created costumes for theatre, dance, opera and opening ceremonies around the world. She continues to make costumes from her workshop in Frome and with the help of local volunteers, was behind the colourful outfit worn by Martin, Frome’s Town Crier. Dulcie also created the dresses made from locally donated ties and jeans which were paraded through Frome to celebrate Sustainable Fashion Week.
During last year’s Frome Festival, Madeleine and Mathilde played a recital under the name ‘Midsummer Moon’, receiving universally enthusiastic reviews. “This concert was a triumph in every way,” said Emma Chapman. “The performances were exquisite, the music a mix of exhilarating and deeply moving. They held the audience spellbound, ending in a much-deserved standing ovation.” Another audience member, Steve Swales, described the evening as unforgettable: “I haven’t been in tears at a concert in 40 years – until now. It was a moment of astonishing sensitivity and emotional depth. Just a violin and piano, yet the richness and nuance they created were overwhelming.”
Both musicians are graduates of the prestigious Paris Conservatoire. They first met when Madeleine began her violin studies and Mathilde was assigned as her accompanist. Over the following five years they performed together regularly, developing the close musical partnership that captivated the audience of their recital at last year’s Frome Festival.
Madeleine’s musical journey began at the age of four when she fell in love with the violin while listening to her father’s compositions. Her Dad is French composer, Pierre André Athané, who continues to write music for her and regularly engages her for recordings. He will no doubt enjoy celebrating Father’s Day in Frome, hearing his daughter perform.
Dulcie is delighted to see the duo return. “Last year’s concert was very special. As her mother I shouldn’t have been so surprised by it, but I truly was! I can’t wait to welcome them both again. Maddie always loves coming to Frome and it means a lot for her to play here. I’m really happy that her grandad and great uncle will get to see her and Mathilde perform. But I must remember to bring hankies this year. I was an emotional wreck by the end of her last concert!’
This year’s programme features works by Claude Debussy, Lili Boulanger, Mel Bonis, Cécile Chaminade and Eugène Ysaÿe. From the elegance and intimacy of Debussy to the haunting intensity of Ysaÿe’s Poème élégiaque, the programme promises a vivid portrait of French music from the dawn of the twentieth century.
Since completing her Master’s degree at the Paris Conservatoire, Madeleine performs widely as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. Alongside her classical training, she has a passion for contemporary music, jazz and folk traditions, and has recently begun creating her own arrangements of Somerset folk music for string quartet. “I’d love to perform these in Frome one day!”, she says.
Mathilde comes from a family of piano tuners and restorers and has established herself as one of the most versatile young musicians of her generation. A prize-winner in several international competitions, she performs regularly with leading French orchestras, including the Paris Opera and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, while also working as an accompanist at the Paris Conservatoire.
Frome Festival Director Adam Laughton said: “Madeleine and Mathilde were outstanding in their recital at Frome Festival 2025. Their playing was lyrical, dynamic and deeply engaging throughout, delighting a strong audience. Their future is bright.”
“We’re so pleased to be coming back to Frome and performing once again in the beautiful Christ Church,” said Madeleine. “I’d like to thank Ann Burgess for all her support and encouragement. It was wonderful to be part of the Festival last year, and great that this time we can help support it with this fundraising concert. Venez nous voir!”
The concert takes place at Christ Church, Frome, on Sunday 21 June at 5pm, with proceeds helping to support the Frome Festival’s programme of arts and cultural events and Christ Church’s Future Appeal.
For more information: https://fromefestival.co.uk/product/25fundraiserrecital/
