"Always drinkers, never drunkards", the singing soul
of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, les Cadets de Bourgogne (the
Cadets of Burgundy), originated in the "Cercle de Rameau" created in Dijon in
1921, later called "Chanteurs Bourguignons". A growing success led them to Nuits-Saint-Georges
when the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin was founded. They owe their name
to a piece which Pierre Moriss wrote for their benefit:
"Here are the Cadets of Burgundy,
The minstrels and servants of wine, Keen are their eyes and ruddy their
faces, Here are the Cadets of Burgundy, Always drinkers, never drunkards,
Following a straight path".
Directed
by their "Maître de Chapelle", Jean-Bernard Guiboux, and accompanied by a small
band, the Cadets de Bourgogne enliven the Chapitres. They have a wide repertoire
of Burgundian songs : "La Bique de Bouze", "Joyeux enfants de la Bourgogne",
"Partons en vendanges", "Chevaliers de la Table Ronde"... Between these songs,
there are joyful "bans bourguignons" (Burgundian cheers). They wear cellarmen's clothes : caps and black aprons. Léon Rappeneau
"Grand Massier" of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin from 1952 to 1980
has not been forgotten.
Besides the founding members Henri Himbert and Henri Garnier, Pierre Latreille,
Louis Collet, Jean Bart and so many others have served Burgundian songs from
Chapitre to Chapitre and made them known through their many performances in
France and abroad.
"Amateurs", they are, in the best sense of the word.