Take 9e Beethoven Symphony, placing performers and songs from here and elsewhere between the four movements, mixing the words of a Quebec poet with sections in Creole, Innu, Hebrew and English; You receive Beethoven’s 9th, from Haiti to Jerusalem, a show conceived and directed by maestro Alexandre Da Costa.
“Crazy ideas in a world of purists,” Alexandre Da Costa has more than one up his sleeve. The 43-year-old conductor wants to send a strong message with this first performance by his orchestra, which changed its name last July; The Longueuil Symphony Orchestra became the Orchester Philharmonique du Québec.
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Inclusion and diversity
The maestro and soloist first asked Quebec poet Louis-Philippe Hébert to write lyrics that would best capture the spirit of this famous score.
“These are words that represent important current values such as peace, inclusion and diversity.” “Putting the music of a genius in the right light and talking about the philosophy of our orchestra and our values while inviting artists with artistic and cultural diversity is very important,” explains the person who sees this show as a presentation and confession of his renamed orchestra.
With new lyrics in May and his vision in mind, Alexandre Da Costa reached out to artists from different backgrounds who responded enthusiastically to his call. Among these: Éléonore Lagacé, Sharon Azrieli, Brenden Friesen, Shauit, Queenie and Yama Laurent.
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These opera, pop or gospel singers from different musical universes will perform between each movement symbolic songs that have marked history: “Amazing Grace”, “What A Wonderful World” or even “The Hymn to the Beauty of the World” .
“I think Alexandre Da Costa is revolutionary. Bringing together a variety of artists from different backgrounds and cultures to sing Beethoven’s 9th part – created at a time when inclusion and diversity did not yet exist – who would have dared? », introduces the singer of Haitian origin, Yama Laurent, who says that it is an honor for her to be part of this unique concert.
In particular, she will perform “The Hymn to Joy,” of which she herself translated part of the Quebec poet’s words into her native Creole language.
“When we are together, when we are considered brothers, in the end we believe in it and that creates harmony and all the beauty of things,” adds the woman, who is working with Jason Lang on her second album, scheduled for next winter is.
Rehearsal by Alexandre Da Costa and Yama in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Monday, September 18, 2023. In this photo: Yama MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
Different, but recognizable
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, with its four movements and tenth hour of continuous music, is quite a difficult work to process. For this reason, Alexandre Da Costa – who will conduct this legendary symphony for the very first time – had the idea of making it a different but recognizable work. For reasons of accessibility for audiences who may be less used to long classical concerts in particular. Which doesn’t mean that experts are left out.
“I want it to be a big version and I hope to direct it often. We want to reach people, cover a larger territory, represent something and build for the long term,” adds the conductor-soloist, who never keeps his famous Stradivarius far away.
Alexandre Da Costa is happy to have met new people through this project, including the singer of Haitian origin Queenie, who we met during her time at the Star Académie in 2021.
“The point of all this is to say that there is always work to be done, but that we can do it in love and in unity. This conversation is necessary everywhere in the world. I consider myself lucky to be able to share the stage with great artists and passionate musicians with this message,” explains the singer-songwriter, who is currently working on her first album.
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– The 9e from Beethoven, from Haiti to Jerusalem with Alexandre Da Costa and the Orchester Philharmonique du Québec will be performed only once on Sunday 1stum next October at the Théâtre Maisonneuve at Place des Arts. Tickets: https://placedesarts.com/fr/evenement/la-9e-de-beethoven-de-haiti-jerusalem