The opera is opening a new stage for overseas creation. On October 1st and 2nd, the Massy Opera will host “3 Opéras d’Outre-mer” (3 Overseas Operas), a show bringing together around a hundred artists for three works dedicated to the history and realities of the Indian Ocean. Among them, thirteen Malagasy lyric artists will participate in the performances alongside artists from Reunion Island and France.
In Antananarivo, the Malagasy artists are continuing their preparations before joining the cast in France. They will work notably with the Massy Opera Orchestra as well as two vocal ensembles, one Reunion-Malagasy and the other Parisian.
The show brings together three operas: “Maraina”, “Chin”, and “Fridom”, written by Emmanuel Genvrin and set to music by Jean-Luc Trulès. These three works address different periods and issues in Reunion Island and the Indian Ocean. “Maraina” revisits the history of Malagasy figures present on the Mascarene island in the 17th century. “Chin” evokes a conflict in a sugar factory in 1954 and questions political issues related to the status of Reunion. “Fridom” focuses on a free radio station in Reunion that sparked riots, centered on the liberation of speech, access to consumer society, and the difficulties that accompany it.
Beyond the narratives, this trilogy is also distinguished by its musical language. The works incorporate rhythms rarely seen in French classical music, bringing a particular dimension to their interpretation and imposing technical demands on the musicians.
According to Emmanuel Genvrin, the project manager: “This work is part of a cooperation that has been underway for about twenty years between Reunion, Madagascar, and France.” Three original operas have been created as part of this initiative. “Maraina” was notably presented in 2007, before being the subject of a film shot in Fort-Dauphin. The works have already been presented to the public, but this new stage brings them to an opera house for the first time.
For the Malagasy artists, this participation is an opportunity to showcase their lyrical expertise in a professional French setting. Beyond the performance, the project is based on a long-term cultural cooperation approach, driven by a central question: “What can we do together?”
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-15 06:23:58 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/cooperation-culturelle-treize-artistes.html