L’Histoire du Soldat

Presented by Le Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord (1-1042340). Ragtime, paso doble, Bach-style chorales, klezmer music... This diversity of influences serves a Faustian-inspired plot: a soldier sells his soul to the devil in exchange for a book capable of predicting the future. A universal tale, inspired by Russian author Afanasyev, which ends in hell for the soldier. Julien Masmondet and Les Apaches of today have chosen to pay tribute to their predecessors by reviving this piece alongside Didier Sandre of the Comédie-Française, in a concert version for a single narrator who embodies at once the narrator, the soldier, and the devil, accompanied by seven soloists. Didier Sandre's long familiarity with the work allows him to tighten the drama, giving it profound unity and bringing out all the musicality of the text. To introduce The Soldier's Tale, an original creation for percussion and electronics commissioned from Othman Louati, the listener is immediately plunged into the world of rhythm which, in the form of a march, becomes like a second heartbeat pacing every scene and guiding us step by step to the final bar of the piece. Artist: Les Apaches! (septet). Julien Masmondet, Musical direction. Didier Sandre, of the Comédie-Française, Narrator. Eva Zavaro, Violin. Lauriane Maudry, Clarinet. Jean Détraz, Bassoon. Arthur Escriva, Cornet. Lucas Ounissi, trombone. Vincent Alves de Palma d'Elia, Double bass. Emmanuel Jacquet, Percussion. Duration: 1h10, without intermission