Theater: Olivier Dubois with homage to Egypt, grand finale ReF

The Gran Finale of the Romaeuropa Festival 2021 kicks off on November 20 (ending on November 21) at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, in collaboration with the Fondazione Musica per Roma. For the first closing day on the bill at 19 Vittorio Montalti presents the concert The smell of blue electricity together with Blow Up Percussion and Tempo Reale, at 9 pm the national premiere of ‘Itmahrag’ by choreographer Olivier Dubois. Born in Rome in 1984, Vittorio Montalti is one of the most acclaimed musicians of his generation. Interested in intertwining the electronic medium with instrumental writing, he explores with his compositions the extension of the possibilities in the timbres of acoustic instruments and the influence of electronic sound in our culture. ‘The smell of blue electricity’ brings together Blow Up Percussion and the composer for the execution of the electronic part of a show aimed at breaking the limits of musical performance to explore a more direct contact with the public. A project born from the close collaboration and dialogue between Montalti and the ensemble of percussionists under the direction of Tempo Reale sound. ‘Itmahrag’, a new production by the French choreographer Olivier Dubois, takes us to Cairo. A singular vision of Egypt between dance and music, created in close collaboration with the B’Sarya artistic center located in Alexandria and interpreted by involving 7 Egyptian musicians / performers. Central to the piece is the Mahraganat, a musical style also known as ‘electro chaabi’ created by young Egyptians from the popular districts of Cairo today the voice of an entire generation and rhythm that invades the streets, taxis, weddings, fashionable parties of all of Egypt. An ‘incendiary’ dance, as Dubois himself defines it, which burns and warms, which gives the impetus back to the life of the younger generations. “Because there are desires that only youth brings to light”, says the choreographer. I have lived for many years between Paris and Cairo and I have seen the birth of this musical wave that has invaded the Egyptian scene. Egyptians sing and dance everywhere, in a discreet and intimate way but it is an essential part of their culture. I watched with great curiosity the development of this music, of this instinctive dance that brings with it the audacity of youth – he added – It took me years to dare and explore it. I wanted him to find his maturity first because, as a foreigner, I did not have the right to touch it, to use it outside of his raison d’etre “.” Today I face it with equal respect and ignorance – Olivier Dubois anticipated – but with the conviction that it is a new language. A scream “. The team of performers on stage is made up of 3 musicians and 4 dancers, young artists who have started a training course specifically for the show.” They are self-taught, just like me “, confessed Dubois. The grand finale ‘of the Romaeuropa Festival continues on November 21st with Edison Studio, Alva Noto + Anne-James Chaton, Ensemble intercontemporain (in co-creation with Fondazione Musica per Roma) and Berliner Philarmoniker (produced by the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia).