Jérusalem
The ties that our Mediterranean cultures have formed for centuries are expressed here as though through a great celebration dedicated to common roots, and to the way in which sacred and popular rituals always play with borders and identities.
The coexistence of the three great monotheistic religions in millennial Jerusalem clearly demonstrates this point : inspiring as much as they reject each other, these beliefs are consistent with our societies, which search for unique identities and are yet so deeply linked to each other.
The music incarnates faith, in all its aspects. The solists' vocal range fills the basilica with a particular aura. Their talent for improvisation, which is heard through numerous modulations, sounds like arabesques and mixes perfectly with the lyrical technicity of the chorus. This original creation makes us appreciate our differences and enjoy a multifaceted culture revealed through music.Fanny Bousquet, Olyrix
As usual, Bestion studies the sonority of the venue with close scrutiny, having his singers wander according to the pieces, forming religious processions or popular crowds. The encore, resembling a familial celebration, makes the audience want to dance and rejoice.Florent Coudeyrat, ConcertoNet.com
Simon-Pierre Bestion
Concept, arrangements, staging and conductor
Georges Abdallah
Traditionnal singer (arabic, melkite, byzantine)
Milena Jeliazkova
Traditionnal singer (sephardic, bulgarian and armenian)
18 singers
14 Instrumentalists
2 oboes, 2 dulcians, clarinet/duduk, cornett, 2 sackbuts tenors, sackbut bass, serpent/tuba, 2 percussions, 2 double bass
Marianne Pelcerf
Lighting design
Franz Liszt
Via Crucis extracts
Zad Moultaka
Mansur al-Hallaj poem(Xth century), persian mystique
Sergueï Rachmaninov
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom extracts
Arvo Pärt
O Holy Saint Nicholas
Heinrich Schütz
An der Wassem zu Babel, David's Psalm 136
Hector Berlioz
"The childhood of Christ" extracts
Salomone Rossi
Al naharot Bavel, David's Psalm 136
Traditionnal orthodox, yemenite sephardi, arabic and melkite repertoire