From May 9 until the end of May, Danyèl Waro, in a quintet formation, begins a French and European tour which will take him to certain European capitals (Brussels in Belgium, Vienna in Austria, Budapest in Hungary) and to the main cities of France. A total of 14 dates including Lyon where the Reunion artist and his group will perform in the large hall of the National Opera, more accustomed to hosting large opera orchestras, ballets or major artistic events.
Read also: The musician and poet from Reunion, Danyèl Waro, tireless standard bearer of Maloya, is going back on tour in France and Europe in May 2024
Seeing Danyèl Waro’s concert be included in the program of the Opéra national de Lyon illustrates the dimension reached by the Reunion artist who has now become a reference on the world music scene. But it is also a strong mark of recognition for the music that he has been developing for 40 years and consequently for Reunionese maloya, of which he has become the tireless standard bearer and cantor.
For 40 years, Danyèl Waro has continued to promote and elevate this music inherited from slavery, the soul and musical emblem of Reunionese identity, now listed as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Through a dozen albums as well as numerous performances and performances, the singer-musician, composer, poet, but also maker of instruments from Reunion, promotes maloya, the basis of his musical universe.
40 years of musical activism and poetic insubordination
40 years of musical activism in the service of maloya, poetic insubordination and combative epicureanism, each of Danyèl Waro’s concerts bears the seal of this generous demand. Fueled by the rolling fire of percussion (kayanm, roulèr, piker…) – typically Reunionese instruments – and choirs in tune, the vocal flame of the Reunionese poet raises the dough of the Creole verb to permeate the room and the public. This music that grabs you by the guts, visceral, sensual, Danyèl Waro, with his warm and penetrating voice, has no equal in transmitting it and delivering the messages of revolt, but also of courage and hope that it conveys. .
At almost 69 years old – he will celebrate his birthday during the tour – this activist of the Creole cause, greedy man and lover of life, is preparing to bring in the flame of maloya and trigger a form of trance within the Lyon national opera, a place unaccustomed to this kind of outpouring and feelings. But it’s impossible to resist the call of maloya. Impossible to remain indifferent to the effects caused by this powerful music and this radiant voice which feeds on this deep Reunionese identity.
EB
Danyèl Waro
Maloya body and soul
May 14, 2024 – 8 p.m.
Lyon National Opera
1 Place de la Comédie
69000 Lyon
Information : www.opera-lyon.com
Tel: +33 (0)4 69 85 54 54
