“We must remain cautious until the last moment,” we are told. Nobody communicates, because a lot can still change. It’s worse than the opening ceremony of the Olympics. » Nevertheless, the musical aspect of the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is becoming clearer day by day. If the organizers of this event celebrated in mondiovision, the diocese of Paris, the Élysée, the communicator Publicis Group, as well as the broadcaster France Télévisions, remain very secretive about the program, some confirmations are starting to fall.
The concert which will begin around 9 p.m. on France 2 on December 7 will pay tribute to all those who saved and rebuilt the monument and will oscillate for two hours between classical and pop repertoire. The artists, who will not receive a fee, will perform in the cathedral for the sacred repertoire, on its square for the pop and variety part. The evening will end in style with DJ Michael Canitrot, an electronic musician specializing in highlighting historical monuments with striking mapping shows.
According to our information, the cellist Gautier and the violinist Renaud Capuçon will participate in this gala evening and they could not be more legitimate. The two brothers are very linked to this building, where they have played several times. The first was one of the few to perform there since the fire, during the 2020 Christmas celebrations. The second toured the cathedrals in 2019 to raise funds for the work on the building after the fire which ravaged it on April 15, 2019.
“There will be very great artists of international renown” announced Philippe Jost, the person responsible for the restoration of the cathedral. A promise also kept with the Chinese pianist Lang Lang who married in Paris in 2019 and often resides there with family, and the Franco-American violinist of Chinese origin Yo-Yo Ma. In the classical register, accompanied by the orchestra philharmonic of Radio France, the Franco-Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatichvili and the young Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich should perform Gounod’s “Ave Maria”.
We are also expecting the American soprano Nadine Sierra, who had already caused a sensation at the Yellow Pieces Gala, and the South African soprano Pretty Yende, who sang at the coronation of the King of England Charles III. Just like the Beninese and French star with multiple Grammy Awards and powerful humanist convictions, Angélique Kidjo. A more unexpected presence, the Lebanese star Hiba Tawaji should also perform but without her husband, the trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, who will play the same evening at the Salle Pleyel.
Ongoing talks with Garou, Clara Luciani…
For several weeks, the rumor has mentioned the arrival of Paul McCartney and Bono. The singer of U2 is no, we are assured. If we are to believe the interview recently given to us by The Edge, the band’s guitarist, the musicians are in Dublin to work on their next album. But “Macca”, why not. There are still discussions with the former Beatles bassist, who will be in the capital on December 4 and 5 for two concerts at Paris’ La Défense Arena then will leave for Madrid for a show on December 9.
As for French-speaking artists, talks are underway with Quebecois Garou, Clara Luciani… The name of the young trumpeter Lucienne Renaudin Vary has been circulating for a long time, but she will be in concert in Germany that evening. Just like that of Vianney, who had been invited by the diocese of Paris, but had to decline the invitation. Artists who tour a lot in churches, such as Laurent Voulzy and Hugues Aufray, and who had their place in this ecumenical celebration, were not approached.