JOURNEY OF A SLAVE MUSICIAN

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SHOW / FROM 8 YEARS (Recommanded age)

The Emidy project is the story of the extraordinary life of Joseph Antonio Emidy (1775-1835), a Guinean sold into slavery who then became a ‘star’.

After gaining freedom, this virtuosic violinist went on to make a name for himself and live his life across three continents – Africa, America and Europe. Inspired by the intimate journals of Emidy, this show associates the compositions of Anglo-Nigerian musician Tunde Jegede, diverse oral traditions – African Mandinke music, Afro-Amerindian songs and melodies – and baroque pages taken from the royal manuscripts of Portugal and Brazil.  

This creation makes for a fascinating work where tales, music, dance, video and photos all converse. The Emidy project draws a moving and universal portrait of the clash between worlds and cultures, slavery and racism, scholarly and traditional music. It also highlights more recent history, underlining our contemporary problems in an open and lively manner. This show is supported by the "Slave route" project, by the UNESCO.

The show is followed by a convivial moment, the fruity apero.

On stage
Tunde Jegede : kora, violoncelle, compositions - Nigéria / UK 
Ishimwa Muhimanyi : danse - Rwanda

Diana Baroni : chant, traverso, recherche et compilation musicale des sources - Argentine / France 
Rafael Guel : vihuela, flutes - Mexique 
Simon Drappier : arpeggione - France 

Behind the scenes

Sunara Begum : artiste audio-visuelle - Bangladesh / UK 
Arthur Daygue : son, lumières - France