Beethoven Wars by Antonin Baudry

Ludwig van Beethoven
Music by Beethoven after King Stephan and The Ruins of Athens

Insula orchestra
accentus
Ellen Giacone, soprano
Matthieu Heim, bass
Laurence Equilbey, conductor
Antonin Baudry, direction and staging
Arthur Qwak, co-direction
Sandrine Lanno, co-staging

A world premiere, Beethoven Wars brings together classical music, the world of manga and science fiction in an immersive space opera for the first time. A team of over 20 graphic designers created a show blending seinen manga with landscapes worthy of Star Wars, projected onto a giant curved screen built for the occasion. On stage, over 100 musicians and singers perform Beethoven’s music and bring the images to life.

On a distant planet, Stephan and Gisèle face the end of a world devastated by war. Two enemy peoples embark on a space quest that will bring them back to Earth after epic intergalactic battles. Will they manage to bring peace to mankind?

Performances in May 2024 at La Seine Musicale.
Photos © Julien Benhamou.