French cellist Gautier Capuçon is one of the artists invited to the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris, scheduled for 7 December. He is particularly enthusiastic about the idea of “celebrate” the restored monument, although he does not yet know which work he will perform. He will be accompanied by several major figures from the Music scene, such as pianist Lang Lang, soprano Pretty Yende, maestro Gustavo Dudamel, singer Angélique Kidjo, and DJ Michael Canitrot. “Unless last minute change”these artists are all expected to participate in this event, as indicated by their respective teams.
Gautier Capuçon, aged 43 years old and internationally recognized cellist, expresses his joy at the idea of participating in the reopening of Notre-Dame. “I’m really looking forward to it, I’m obviously very happy and very honored to be able to be there on the 7th December, to be able to rediscover it”he confides. He is also delighted to be able to celebrate, through music, “the hope, life and rebirth of the cathedral”. It pays tribute to the artisans who worked to restore the masterpiece of Gothic art after the devastating fire of 2019.
The fire at Notre-Dame had a profound impact on Gautier Capuçon. “I experienced a shock” when I discovered the first images of the burning building, he remembers. The next morning, he went near the cathedral with his cello to play there. “After a dream” by Gabriel Fauré. According to him, music has this unique power to “transcend all emotions”emphasizing its ability to comfort and soothe wounded hearts.
He specifies with a touch of humor that he does not yet know what song he will play during the reopening ceremony. He is also not sure whether he will perform as a soloist or with other great classical musicians, like his brother Renaud, violinist. However, one thing is certain : “We will be united around music. Music is universal, it has no skin color, it has no religion either. It is an ambassador of peace.”
In 2020, Gautier Capuçon participated in a Christmas concert inside Notre-Dame under construction, alongside soprano Julie Fuchs. He remembers the experience “impressive”lived “right in the middle of the work”with a helmet and safety suit. Despite the partial destruction of the cathedral, he felt “all its strength, its power, and then its protective side”, which deeply marked him.
If Gautier Capuçon had carte blanche to choose the music for the ceremony, he would opt for “you Bach”because, according to him, “it’s religious music” Who “call” et “resonates within us”. He also mentions Gabriel Fauré, whom he played after the fire, as well as the famous Hail Mary by Schubert, Gounod and Caccini, which he would like to perform during this symbolic event.
In parallel with his musical career, Gautier Capuçon is also a media artist. He has participated in many prestigious events, such as the tribute to Johnny Hallyday and the millennium celebrations of Mont–Saint-Michel. He was also a member of the jury of the show “Prodigies”, which highlights young talents. In addition to his concerts, he hosts the show “Les Carnets de Gautier Capuçon” on Radio Classique and continues to release records, such as the one paying tribute to Edward Elgar and William Walton, released by Warner Classics/Erato.
Gautier Capuçon is also very involved in educational projects through his Gautier Capuçon Foundation, launched in 2022. This foundation aims to “accompanying young instrumentalists” aged 18 to 25 years in their musical journey. “We have three promotions, or 28 winners, who were given approximately 400 000 euros of scholarships to continue their studies”he explains. The foundation also supports these young talents by providing them with stages to perform and by recording records. “Three discs have been recorded and a fourth is in progress”he says proudly.
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