“Come in, sleep, eat and regain hope…” These were the words of Abbé Pierre on February 1, 1954. Inciting mobilization and “the insurrection of kindness”, to fight against exclusion through the creation of centers reception or accommodation for the most deprived. An impulse in line with the humanist message of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and more specifically his Ode to Joy. This will resonate on March 13 in the main hall of the Carreau du Temple, on the occasion of the anniversary concert of the 70th anniversary of Emmaüs, organized with the Paris Chamber Orchestra. “We thought of it as a solidarity event for families. But also and above all with the hope that populations will meet,” explains the orchestra’s cultural activities delegate, Amélie Eblé.
“The partnership between our orchestra and Emmaüs has lasted for around ten years,” recalls this former accommodation center manager, who specifies that the program for this anniversary concert was designed for but also by children. We will bring the Hyme to Joy into dialogue with Verdi’s Va Pensiero, another hymn, this time to freedom. But also with extracts from Carmen which will be performed by the professional choir ‘Les Métaboles et les enfants de la Maîtrise de Paris’. It seemed important to us that the children present, some of whom will come from these accommodation centers, be able to identify with the interpreters they will have in front of them.
The partnership between the Paris Chamber Orchestra and Emmaüs began in 2016, during the “Migrant Songs” project, carried out with the composer Pierre-Yves Macé (read our May 3, 2017 editions). Traditional songs were collected from refugees, including those hosted by one of the Emmaüs centers, before their reappropriation by the composer. “After this artistic project which was a great success, the movement asked us several times to organize concerts after the opening of new centers, with the aim that the population of the neighborhood and the new residents would meet during an event. festive, and thus promote their integration,” continues Amélie Eblé.
A “two-way” partnership, therefore, since the training regularly offers workshops at Emmaüs, led by two or three musicians from the orchestra with the families accommodated. A partnership which was strengthened during the health crisis: “During the deconfinement, Emmaüs centers, like nursing homes, were the first places chosen for outdoor concerts. It seemed to us that their residents were those who most needed to “regain hope” through music.” Abbé Pierre probably could not have said it better.
Emmaüs 70th anniversary concert, March 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Carreau du Temple (Paris 3rd). www.orchestradechambredeparis.com
