Opéra Maraina (English version)

Jean-Luc Trulès & Emmanuel Genvrin

At Creation

The cast

Choirs and orehestras

La Réunion 2005-2006

The Settlers’ Choir (Cantare)

Choeur des Colons La Reunion 2005

Soprani : Anne-Marie Bayard, Alexia Duchemann, Érika Fontaine, Katia Gaillot, Frédérique Hoffmann, Nicole Leichnig, Carole Paillard, Évelyne Paramé, Martine Vidal, Joëlle Vivier. Alti : Muriel André, Roselyne Blucker, Sylvie Forges, Sandrine Idatte, Suzanne Lauret, Christelle Lysandre, Marianne Malet, Mathilde Martin-Seel, Stéphanie Miquel, Marie-Louise Mongis, Geneviève Thévenet, Evelyne Vaucheret. Ténors : Stéphane Allouche, Jean-François Dolphin, Patrick Figon, Pascal Herault, Sylvie Koenig, Olivier Vassas. Bass  : Frank Grégoire, Eddy Ivoula, Jisoan Labaure, Jean-Claude Lebon, Jean-Luc Malet, Jean-Louis Tavan, Daniel Vaucheret, Alix Vienne.

Région Réunion orchestra
Orchestre Maraina Réunion 2005-2006

First violin : Maritchu Aguergaray. Violins : Sonia Alexandre, Peggy Checot, Marina Fuhrer, Mathieu San Martin. Violas : Stéphanie Rascle. Cello : Aline Sellaye, Vivier Vaïté. Bass : Antonio Crescence. Flutes : David Checot, Daniel Florens. Saxophones : Jim Célestin, Luc Joly. Clarinet : Olivier Drouadaine. Sax barytone : Jean-Claude Bideau (Tot). Horn : Alain Franco, François Rascle. Trombones : Patrice Brisson, Giovanni Hector. Trumpets : Giovanni Hector, Thierry Hesler. Accordion : Aldo Ledoux. Percussion keyboard : Ludovic Clain. Drum percussion : Héloïse Divilly. Digital percussion : Nicolas Moucazambo. Malagasy valihas : Joseph Rakotorahalalahy (Lala), David Raolison.

Madagascar 2007

The Settlers’ Choir


Soprani : Christianna Sitraka, Nathalie Ramanantsiahoarana, Jedidia Barivola Anjara, Diera Andriantsoa, Nathalie Rajaonah, Nonjavola Rakotondrasoa, Nathalie Ramanantsiahoarana, Mihoby Razafipananina. Alti : Tantely Andriamanday, Hanitra Ralisoarimalala, Natacha Rajemison, Miora Rakoto Ramambason, Vola Rakotoniainia, Tahina Randriamanantena. Ténors  : Fanilo Andriamasivelo, Harilala Andriantsialonina, Tsiory Rabetokotany, Lova Raoelison, Richard Rasolonjatovo, Balsama Randriamampionona, Thiory Rabetokotany. Bass  : Nirina Andriamifidy, Setraniaina Andrianajason, Hery Rajimison, Christian Rakotonirina, Rija Rakotonirina, Rado Tovonjarahariliva.

Indian Ocean orchestra

First violin : Ghislaine Rouits. Violins : Casimir Rakotoniaïna, Patrick Rakotoniaïna, Patrick Rakotoniaïna. Violas : Catherine Ambach. Cello : Manampisoa Randriamanga. Bass : Danielson Ratovonjanahary. Flutes : Lalasoa Ratovonjanahary, Agnès Joignerez. Saxophone : Luc Joly. Clarinets : Samuel Razafindrazaka, Michel Radavidra Andriamparany. Sax Barytone : Seta Ramaroson. Horn : François Rascle. Trombones  : Patrice Brisson, Giovanni Hector. Trompets : Thierry Hesler, Pierre Thaï Thong. Accordion  : Thierry Borne. Percussion keyboard : Ludovic Clain. Drum percussion : Héloïse Divilly. Digital percussion : Frédéric Andrianaseheno (Bim). Malagasy valihas : Samoela Andriamalalaharijaona.

Vitry-sur-Seine 2008, Paris 2009

The Settlers’ Choir (Paris region)

Choeur Maraina Paris
Soprani : Charlotte Collineau, France-Line Côme, Pascale Franc, Muriel Galéra, Hélène Gane, Hélène Mathieu, Irène Proserpine, Aïna Quach. Alti : Danièle Attuly, Christelle Bergé, Frédérique Block, Éliane Dehainault, Élisabeth Grapin, Marie-Aymée Harel, Pascale Houard, Geneviève Morisot. Tenors : Olivier Besson, Sylvain Leplâtre, Dominique Matrot, Dominique Morgante, Aldo Noce, Sahy Ratianarinaivo , Bernard Thomas. Bass : Michel Martin, Patrick Mas, Luc Massard, Rado Tovonjarahariliva , Herrick, Hubert Rajaonah, Lova Raoelison, Nirina Razafimanjato,Jean-Marie Romilien,Cheick-Oumar Sankare.

Massy orchestra

Orchestre Maraina Paris
First violin : Dan Danilescu, Ghislaine Rouits. Violins : Patricia Hayot, Patricia Leblanc, Agnès Martins Da Fonseca, Philippe Morel, Constance Moreau, Cécile Wiener. Violas : Catherine Ambach, Ghislaine Rouits. Cello : Frédéric Loisel. Bass : Marie-Christine Dacqui. Flutes : Philippe David, Philippe Legrand. Saxophone : George Porte, Cécile Petit. Clarinets : Marie-Cécile Courcier, Bruno Bourgoin. Sax Barytone : Seta Ramaroson. Horn : Norbert Vergonjanne. Trombone : Coralie Parisis. Trumpet : Thierry Modelin. Accordion : Coralie Lebon. Percussion keyboard : Ludovic Clain. Drum percussion : Héloïse Divilly. Digital percussion : Pierre Vargoz. Malagasy valihas : Séverin Andriamilantonirinason.

Saint-Paul de La Réunion 2009

The Settlers’ Choir

Soprani : Anne-Marie Baillard, Edwige Bigaignon, Loreen Bigaignon, Katia Gaillot, Marie-Aymé Harel, Nicole Leichnig, Marianne Malet, Evelyne Paramé‚ Mélanie Prochasson, Aïna Quach, Joelle Vivier. Alti : Roselyne Bluker, Sylvie Forges, Sandrine Idatte, Stéphanie Miquel, Juliette Sarah. Ténors : Stéphane Allouche, Pascal Herault, Sylvie Koenig, Lova Raoelison, Sahy Ratanarinaivo, Bernard Thomas, Olivier Vassas. Bass : Yves Bréchard, Patrick Fary, Jean-Luc Malet, Michel Martin, Herrick Rajaonah, Nirina Razafimanjato, Jean-Paul Ruche, Rado Tovonjarahariliva, Alix Vienne.

Indian Océan orchestra

First violin : Catherine Ambach. Violons : Peggy Checot, Guy-Noël Clarisse, Constance Moreau, Mathieu San Martin. Violas : Ghislaine Rouits. Cello : Manampisoa Randriamanga. Bass : Eric Lebeau. Flutes : Jean-Luc L’Hoste, Véronique Préaudet. Saxophones : Jim Célestin, Luc Joly. Clarinet : Olivier Drouadaine. Sax baryton : Seta Ramanoson. Bass clarinet : Marie-Cécile Coursier. Horn : Philippe Hervé. Trombones  : Pierre Thaï Thong. Trumpets : Thierry Hesler. Accordion : Aldo Ledoux. Percussion keyboard : Ludovic Clain. Drum percussion : Héloïse Divilly. Digital percussion : Yohan Calcin. Malagasy valihas : Samoela Andriamalalaharijaona.

The adventure of Reunion Island first settlers

The theme

In 1665, a group of adventurers (1 French and 7 Malagasy) leave Fort-Dauphin in Madagascar to plant tobacco and aloes in Mascarenne (today isle of La Reunion). Louis Payen, the leader of the expedition, discovers that his foreman, Jean Managna, is also lusting after the pretty Marie-Maraina. Jean escapes and leads the group of Malagasy in the heights of the island, marries Maraina and proclaims himself king, while approaching a fleet of the sun king (Louis XIV).

The performance

Composer and music director Jean-Luc Trulès, libretto and director Emmanuel Genvrin. Set designer, video images, Hervé Mazelin, wardrobe Pardon ! and Térésa Small. With stars Aurore Ugolin, Landy Andriamboavonjy, Steeve Mai, Karim Bouzra, Josselin Michalon, Arnaud Dormeuil or Gilles Safaru, a small choir from Madagascar and a large choir from Reunion or Paris, as well as the Orchestra of Reunion Council or Massy Opera in mainland France. The operas is sub-titled in English.

Videos

Captation with english subtitle
Making of (in French)
Buy the DVD

Creation and tours

Created on Reunion Island in November 2005, Maraina was performed again in December 2006, and was a tremendous success with the public, and was hailed by the critics. This first ever Indian Ocean opera brought together performers from the whole region (including 8 performers from Madagascar) and overseas (4 from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Tahiti, France-Algeria) for a composition by Jean-Luc Trulès blending classical, Creole and Malagasy rhythms. Emmanuel Genvrin’s libretto explores the myth of Reunion Island’s first Franco-Malagasy inhabitants in the 17th century. In June and July 2007 Mariana received an enthusiastic welcome in Tananarive and Fort Dauphin after a memorable 800km long taxi-brousse trip. In October 2008 the opera was performed again at the Jean Vilar Theatre at Vitry-sur-Seine in front of an audience of 1500, with the Massy opera orchestra, backed up by musicians from Reunion and Madagascar and a choir from Ile-de-France brought together by the ADIAM of Val de Marne. Performances of Maraina are taken in June 2009 at the Silvia Montfort Theatre (Paris) and open-air in October at Saint Paul beach, Reunion Island.

Portfolio

Photos captioned in French

Press reviews

A captivating and colourful opus.

T. Guyenne, Opéra magazine

A subtle fusion between contemporary music and Malagasy tradition.

M.Steinmetz, l’Humanité

Maraina est un opéra métissant classicisme et musiques de l’Océan indien composé par un Réunionnais noir, joué et chanté en grande partie par des Noirs.

C.Moncel, Afrique-Asie

A marvellous and moving creation.

A.Ruprecht, Gens de la Caraïbe, Madinart

Maraina gives rise to a new genre, the Indian Ocean opera.

H. Rivelo, L’Express de Madagascar

A mix of musics that have learned to live together, a leap forward for our common history.

J. Talpin, Le Quotidien de La Réunion

Articles

A documentary

A documentary (Laterit productions, directed by César Paes) based on footage shot in Reunion and Madagascar was made in 2011.

La bande annonce
English booklet