| Event | Dame Helvétie | |
| Venue | Yverdôme Arteplage Yverdon-les-Bains | |
| Date | 11.09.2002 | |
| Time | 20:15 | |
| Programme | A commoner who dreams of entering the big leagues. Created for Expo.02 by a group of talented young artists from French-speaking Switzerland, the satirical cantata Dame Helvétie paints the portrait of a singular courtesan. Independent and peaceful since the dawn of time, the honourable old lady is nevertheless torn by a particular dilemma: how can you be a woman of the world when you're so at home? This musical allegory by Thierry Besançon (composer), Oers Kisfaludy (librettist) and Vincent Baroni (conductor) takes an original look at Switzerland and its current political situation. In four parts, it depicts some of the flaws in a myth. Passivity or commitment, individuality or community, leadership or compromise? Without pretending to provide answers, this engaging musical mockery questions Switzerland and holds up a mirror to it. Dame Helvétie features eight ensembles and six soloists, some 230 performers, most of them non-professionals. The work blends popular music (choirs, brass bands and folklore) with many other styles, such as jazz, classical and rap. Full of notes, the piece is just as full of movement. It offers its audience a Tango de l'argent teint, an Valse orientale pour cheiks en blanc and a Sarabande des cent louis. A host of surprises that promise a universal round of music for Dame Helvétie. | |
| Project team | Composer: Thierry Besançon Director: Eric Sjöstedt Librettist: Oers Kisfaludy Conductor: Vincent Baroni Choir director: Louis-Marc Crausaz Soloists: Agnes Perret, Dorothée Hauser, Charles Ossola, Jean-Marc Richard, Thierry Dagon, Sylvain Jaccard. Choirs: Choeur Lè Tsêrdziniolè, Treyvaux (FR), Petit Choeur de Bertigny, Villars-sur-Glâne (FR), Choeur Upsilon, Estavayer-le-Lac (FR), Choeur Le Madrigal, Le Landeron (NE), Chanson des 4 Saisons, Corminboeuf (FR) Instrumental ensembles: Harmonie du Conservatoire de Neuchâtel (NE), Centre de percussions de la Côte (VD), Ensemble folklorique | |
| Language | - | |
| Admission | Ticketed event: CHF 50.00 / CHF 35.00 / CHF 25.00 | |
| Organiser | Expo.02, Neuchâtel | |
| Remarks | further performances on 12.09.2002, 13.09.2002, 14.09.2002, 15.09.2002 and 16.09.2002 |
Photos: are still missing - send us yours! expo.02(at)ex-expo.ch
