PATENTEUSES

In Vanier, the story of a Franco-Ontarian secret society is returning to centre stage. This time, it is the patenteuses who are speaking out.

Created by Créations In Vivo, PATENTEUSES is a musical in development inspired by the Ordre de Jacques-Cartier, nicknamed “La Patente.” Through seven songs, the project revisits this local history to explore power, solidarity, the survival of Francophone communities, and the place of women in the stories that are passed down.

The demo recordings presented here offer a glimpse into the creation of the production. Informed by encounters with the Vanier community, they bring to life a heritage that is not frozen in the past, but continues to engage in dialogue with today’s Francophonie.

These seven recordings are demo versions from a musical that is still in development. Brought together in a single EP, they capture a specific stage in the development of the characters, dramatic world, and music of PATENTEUSES.

Songs Engaging in a Dialogue with Vanier

The seven songs draw on the history of La Patente, a secret society founded in Vanier, while examining it through contemporary questions. They give voice to characters, tensions, and reflections on power, solidarity, the survival of Francophone communities, and the place of women in the stories that are passed down.

Before recording, Créations In Vivo presented part of this creative universe to members of Vanier’s Franco-Ontarian community. Workshops, discussions, and collaborative presentations allowed the texts, characters, and themes to be considered from a variety of perspectives.

A collaborative presentation introduces the world of PATENTEUSES and gathers feedback from Vanier’s community during the creative process

Participants contributed through their reactions, questions, and conversations about the material presented. These perspectives helped the artistic team refine certain ideas, better understand how this story resonates today, and continue the musical development in dialogue with the community where La Patente originated.

From Lyrics to Demo Recordings

Drawing on historical research, lyrics by Chloé Thériault, and music by Brian St-Pierre, the songs gradually found their characters, tone, and place within the world of PATENTEUSES.

Following discussions with the community, the work continued through vocal direction led by Dillon Orr, followed by performance and recording. Darquise Lauzon, Ariane Lemay, Emma-Rose Smith, and Chloé Thériault gave the seven songs their first recorded form.

Recorded in June 2026, the demos capture a specific stage of the creative process. They provide an opportunity to hear the project’s development from research to lyrics, from community dialogue to performance, and from the imagined stage to the recording studio.