The 4th and 5th editions of the participatory concerts A vos marques, prêts… chantez ! offered a musical journey through two world premieres.
About the project
It took two seasons to bring this project to life and present a musical journey featuring two world premieres by Argentine composer Gerardo Di Giusto: The Hummingbird , an ecological oratorio addressing environmental issues and the symphonic choral version of the work. The Archangels, an oratorio-opera that brings the epic story of the Aéropostale to life through music.
Children and adults, beginners or experienced amateurs, schoolchildren, students, parents, maîtrisiens, and professional soloists all joined their voices, guided by the Petits Chanteurs de Strasbourg – Maîtrise de l’Opéra national du Rhin, for a spectacular performance at the Zénith. The show was enriched with dance, giant-screen illustrations, and kites, creating a truly immersive experience.
From September 2019 to June 2021, monthly workshops were held to prepare this artistic and civic project— an endeavor that was both musically and humanly ambitious.
The Full Performance
Pandemic, lockdown… we adapted.
Singing on, always, staying connected… we did everything possible to keep the journey going.
Virtual workshops
Several rehearsals for The Hummingbird and The Archangels could not take place as planned. To continue preparing the pieces from home, Luciano organized virtual workshops starting in March 2020, allowing participants to rehearse despite the circumstances and share meaningful musical moments.
En février 2021, les participants ont été invités à répéter lors d’un weekend dans un atelier virtuel en compagnie des voix de la Maîtrise.
Rehearsals-manifestations
In March and April 2021, two rehearsals-manifestations took place: one at La COOP in Port du Rhin and another at Parc des Contades.
Defending amateur artistic practice and rediscovering the joy of singing together.
A Video for International Rivers Day
World premiere of "Hacia el mañana / Tomorrow is Today" from the ecological oratorio "The Hummingbird", performed by musicians and singers from three continents (Argentina, Spain, France, Philippines, Russia, and Singapore).
As part of International Rivers Day,The Orchestre du Rhin and A vos marques, prêts… Chantez ! partnered with the Banda Sinfónica Nacional de Ciegos « Pascual Grisolía » (Argentina), and singers from five different countries : Petits Chanteurs de Strasbourg – Maîtrise de l’Opéra national du Rhin, A vos marques, prêts... Chantez !, The Boy Choir of the Glinka Choir College St. Petersburg (Хоровое училище им. М.И.Глинки) (Russia), Coro Joven del Teatre Principal de Palma(Spain), Novo Concertante Manila(Philipinnes), Choir of The School of the Arts, Singapore – SOTA (Singapour) and also the soloists Nathalie Gaudefroy(soprano) and Jean-Luc Chaignaud (baritone) for the International Musical Project around the ecological oratorio The Hummingbird by Gerardo Di Giusto 's work
"Hacia el Mañana / Tomorrow is Today" is the final movement of Gerardo Di Giusto 's workThe lyrics, written by Luciano Bibiloni, Hélène Hucher, and Egor Lisitsyn, symbolize the power of the collective and the necessity of respecting nature to preserve our shared home. A song filled with hope, it reflects the diversity that defines us.
The spectacle
On Saturday, June 19, 2021, the participatory musical spectacle took place at the Zénith Europe de Strasbourg.
It was an exceptional artistic encounter, blending music, singing, theater, dance, and visual arts, under the direction of Luciano Bibiloni.
With the Orchestre du Rhin and the Maîtrise de l’Opéra national du Rhin, the performance brought together 600 voices of adults and children, alongside: Judith Gauthier and Christophe Gay (soloists) Fred Cacheux (actor) 50 young dancers from the Centre Chorégraphique de Strasbourgled by choreographer David Llari from the Ballet de la Danse Physique ContemporaineLive giant-screen illustrations by Sherley Freudenreich, inspired by The Hummingbird by Di Giusto ; Scenography by Albane Aubin ; Lighting design by Christian Peuckert.
As the first classical music concert in a Zénith in the entire country after the pandemic, it was an extremely powerful and memorable moment, both artistically and humanly, for everyone involved.
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