Around 9 p.m., spectators flocked to the Cour Carrée de Bonifacio last Saturday for the concert offered by Opus Corsica. It must be said that the program was attractive, with the Ajaccian tenor on display Jean-Francois Marras.
The latter, who became tenor at the Paris Opera at the age of 26 – he is 30 today – quickly multiplied his experiences in the four corners of the planet, constantly returning to Corsica, and in particular to Bonifacio. last Saturday and in Bastia, next July 26, still as part of this same traveling festival which takes place until 1is August, at various points on the island, with a different partition each time (read below).
Unexpected duo
In Bonifacio, the public was taken away by the surprise offered by the constitution of a truly exceptional couple. Jean-François Marras was joined by soprano Marie-Laure Garnier, revelation lyrical artist at the Victoires de la musique classique 2021, for a unique and magical duet highlighting their sense of common phrasing and the extent of their respective vocal spectrum. “And yet I have not had the opportunity to show the possible extent for a tenor … », Laughed a Marras who also willingly played the operetta tenor by interpreting the unforgettable The singer of Mexicoby Luis Mariano.
An evening during which the pianists were in force. If we were able to take advantage of the beautiful bond that unites Marie-Laure Garnier and Celia Oneto-Bensaïd, the performances of Laura Sibella, Jérémie Vuillamier and Antoine Alerini were noticed, in “six hands” version or as a soloist. All had their moment of bravery highlighting the excellence of their talent, as did the violinist Valeria Ivanova, in complete empathy with her partner evening musicians or simply brilliant as a soloist (joined in the photo by her alter ego, Célia Picciocchi).
READ ALSO. Summer festivals file. Ajaccio and its region
An island a scene
All this little world shone with the joy of being in front of a visibly conquered audience. Mission accomplished and more for the Opus Corsica association, which works all year round, particularly and above all for the classical repertoire. Initiated and organized by Laura Sibella and Xavier Torre – the association of a grand piano with the plastic arts and the art of perfume – its permanent object is the organization of residencies, meetings, discoveries promoting programming of this festival which spreads throughout the island with the secret ambition of making it the privileged stage for lyrical and classical. This amounts to combining the heritage of Corsica, in all areas, with the world heritage of music.
The notes scattered in Bonifacio, Saturday evening, suggesting only the best thanks to the place acquired by an island youth whose names are already displayed in gold letters.
In Ajaccio tonight and tomorrow
After Bonifacio, the Opus Corsica festival continues in Ajaccio, tonight and tomorrow, at the Casone. This Monday, it is a “Crossed Strings” concert that is offered from 9 pm, a string and piano duo composed of violinist Bertrand Cervera and pianist Laura Sibella. Tomorrow, at 9 pm, the organizers have imagined a “Journey into Traditions” with the singer Felì. Alongside him, pianists Laura Sibella and Jérémie Vuillamier, for a program combining Hungarian dances, Brahmsian arrangements and Corsican repertoire …
Information / ticket office: https: //opus.corsica/programmation
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