By: Frank Cadenhead<\/p>\n
On October 30, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, made an appearance at the Op\u00e9ra de Strasbourg. No, it was not a gala or a special occasion. It was just to witness a rehearsal of the opera Carmen<\/em> in its \u201cparticipatory version.\u201d<\/p>\n The Strasbourg opera forces, along with their chorus, Ma\u00eetrise de l\u2019Op\u00e9ra du Rhin and the children\u2019s chorus, Petits Chanteurs de Strasbourg, were joined by the opera orchestra (playing on period instruments of Bizet\u2019s time) in a new and impressive project. Together, they will \u201cbring together an intergenerational and intercultural audience of amateur and professional singers\u201d and free workshops have been set up since September 30. One session each month will culminate with an outdoor concert performance of Carmen<\/em> in June. \u201cHundreds of performers, amateurs and accomplished, young and old, school children and parents\u201d were assembled with the goal of performing this opera with major soloists. Macron came down from the balcony and greet the participants and joined in with them for a reading of the Toreador Song<\/em>.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.bfmtv.com\/mediaplayer\/video\/macron-pousse-la-chansonnette-a-l-opera-de-strasbourg-997799.html<\/p>\n