For this Ravel evening – an extraordinary evening – the Opéra Garnier opened its doors to young people… on the stage side. The sequence Ma Mère l’oye was danced by the students of the dance school, and the sequence L’enfant et les sortilèges sung by the young lyrical artists in residence of the Opera Academy. And although these two pieces are covers of works created on very different dates (1998 for L’enfant, 2023 for Ma Mère l’oye) they form a beautiful unity, as musical as visual.
Ma Mère l’Oye, written for piano in 1910, is inspired by a tale by Perrault from 1697. Martin Chaix’s dance perfectly illustrates this timeless universe desired by Ravel. The young dancers, even if they have not yet mastered all the technique, are impeccable in these immutable roles which evoke joy, fear and enthusiasm in turn. Three big clouds, a few lanterns, unexpected costumes and good dancers… It doesn’t take much to create a magical universe.
After the intermission, a change of style with The Child and the Sortilèges, created at the Monte-Carlo Opera in 1925. The version presented today is that of Richard Jones and Antony McDonald. Even though this small opera lasts only 45 minutes, it is a huge production that requires 50 artists on stage, a plethora of costumes and sets. An enjoyable, often funny and, visually, absolutely disconcerting set. Fairy competes with illusion to tell the story of this dirty kid, in rebellion against his parents. It is superb !
Opera Garnier, until December 14.
