It looks like they dressed up for the Venice carnival. Made up like Crazy Horse dancers, in magnificently extravagant outfits, green, pink, whipped cream or red and black by Manish Arora, Flore Philis, Marie Menand, Alexandra Hewson and Marie-Laure Coenjaerts are back with D.I.V.A, opus 2.
Opera lovers and neophytes are won over by their interpretation of famous pieces, or not: The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart), Faust (Gounod), Rigoletto (Verdi), Lucie de Lammermoor (Gaetano Donizetti) and La Vie parisienne (Offenbach) . “ And bam, and bam, and bam, and bam! Yes, this is Parisian life,” sing the four singers, accompanied by a string quartet, also 100% female (Alice Bourlier, Albane Genat, Andreï Malakhov and Mathilde Sternat).
Under the cherubs of La Nouvelle Ève, in Paris, in front of the sparkling blue curtains of the stage, each presents an opera aria in an offbeat way before interpreting it in around ten minutes. Hairpieces by Christophe Mecca balanced on their heads, the artists pose in front of or behind picture frames which open or close with the help of golden curtains. They follow one after another of thwarted love stories, “dramas and comedies, going as best they can”. Hiding behind a mask or feathers, colorful and vocal divas move, simper or rebuke their suitor. Be careful, among them there is a narcissistic pervert hiding!
As director, Manon Savary creates an evening in the form of a music hall. Light shows and glitter add to the party. The young woman has someone to look after. She is the youngest daughter of Mona Heftre and Jérôme Savary, founder of the Grand Magic Circus. The composer Stéphane Gassot provides assistance with the musical transcription. Be careful, we have fun and we laugh – the mischievous divas joke, enter the room and play with their fans – but the performance is there. These singers are virtuosos who have the art of transmitting their passion for a genre known to be difficult.
They had already distinguished themselves in 2017 at the Théâtre Montparnasse and could perform at the Palais Garnier as they are so talented. Some 80,000 spectators succumbed to their charm. It was mezzo soprano Marie Menand who created D.I.V.A with Flore Philis, coloratura soprano, spotted in the role of Mozart’s Queen of the Night. Originally, they wanted to make opera accessible to as many people as possible. Objective largely achieved. They make you want to discover or rediscover the operas in their entirety. Despite the cold that reigned that evening at La Nouvelle Ève, they warmed hearts. Perfect for the end of year celebrations.
D.I.V.A., at La Nouvelle Ève (Paris 9th), until December 31. Such. : 01 48 74 69 25 or www.lanouvelleeveparis.com