Just as “L’Union,” the main newspaper of Reims, seemingly exhausted its supply of superlatives in its daily (sometimes, twice a day) article about the Boston Camerata, our musicians sang their last medieval air (a Cantiga by Spanish King Alfonse the Wise), acknowledged the standing ovation, toasted each other and the festival with a final glass of champagne, packed their bags and headed home.

It was an intense, unflagging and totally involving ten days for us. FIVE programs, all different, all drawn from the rich medieval repertoire of Reims and the Champagne country, to be presented over such a short time period….nobody will deny that it wasn’t stressful. But it was also immensely rewarding.

We were offered a bottle of bubbly to take home after each show….that’s quite a few bottles. We were also showered with laudatory adjectives by the local press, such a cloudburst of praise as we have rarely gathered in such a small interval. From our recent scrapbook, here are a few:

“A key personality of medieval music” (referring to our own Anne Azéma); “a feast;” “totally seductive;” “luminous…perfect equilibrium;” “music full of joy and hope;” “magnificent;” “a dazzling concert;” “brilliant;” “a marvelous ensemble;” “five concerts in ten days: a flawless achievement;” and, once again, “what a feast!”

Thank you, Reims. We are still somewhat tipsy with praise, good drink, beautiful music, and your unwavering support and enthusiasm.