Asterix’s Musical Tour of Gaul
On 22 October 2009, the lucky audience at Asterix's Musical Tour of Gaul - an original show from Frédéric Chaslin - spent an unforgettable evening at the magnificent Théâtre des Champs Elysées, enjoying major "hits" from classical French music, interpreted by the Colonne Orchestra and accompanied by an outstanding cast and terrific, new original songs (you should have seen and especially heard Jules Caesar as he sang "L'Armorique" in a style to rival Joe Dassin!) - all against a projected backdrop of vast drawings by Albert Uderzo…. It had all the makings of a stupendous festive banquet!
The evening took on a magical dimension as emotion gripped the audience during a tribute to the two Asterix creators. A standing ovation for Albert Uderzo, who was there with Anne Goscinny, right before the last piece was played by the orchestra, sitting in the shadow of an immense portrait of René Goscinny. Even Cacofonix the Bard was silenced, while Fulliautomatix and the rest of the Indomitable Gauls were reconciled with music forever!
Click on the photos to discover a slide show covering the 22 October 2009 evening concert at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées.Our thanks go to Philippe Cauvin for the photographs.
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More about The Asterix's Musical Tour of Gaul
To commemorate Asterix's 50th birthday, the Theatre des Champs-Elysées welcomed Asterix's Musical Tour of Gaul on Thursday, 22 October. This musical show was devised by Frédéric Chaslin based on the characters created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo.
Asterix and Obelix, accompanied by all members of the Gaulish village, defied Caesar, going in search of the greatest hits of the classical French repertoire, with extracts from works by George Bizet, Jules Massenet, Charles Gounod, Hector Berlioz, Paul Dukas, Emmanuel Chabrier, Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré, Jacques Offenbach…
The cast brought together opera singers and artists from the music hall; Mathias Vidal (Asterix), Patrick Rocca (Obelix), Laurent Naouri (Caesar), Robert Aburbe (Vitalstatistix), Bernard Pisani (Geriatrix); it even included Thomas Morris in the role of Cacofonix! Our bard knows how to ravish the public with his singing!
As for the druid Getafix, he was played by Jean-Pierre Coffe! And Olivier Ruidavet, Jean-David Stepler, Alain Wilmet, Johan Nus, Djamel Mehnane completed the astounding cast and was accompanied by the Orchestra Colonne directed by the talented Frédéric Chaslin.
The programme
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Frédéric Chaslin, Overture to the Tour of Gaul Charles Gounod, Faust, Air des bijoux (Cacofonix) Hector Berlioz, Damnation de Faust, Marche Hongroise Frédéric Chaslin, Air de César Paul Dukas, l'apprenti sorcier Emmanuel Chabrier, Joyeuse Marche Frédéric Chaslin, duo featuring d'Astérix et Obélix Claude Debussy, Clair de lune |
Camille Saint-Saëns, Bacchanale de Samson et Dalila Charles-Marie Widor, Toccata (orch. F. Chaslin) Jules Massenet, Méditation de Thais George Bizet, Prélude from the 2nd act of Carmen Maurice Ravel, Boléro Gabriel Fauré, Pavane de Pénélope Hector Berlioz, Overture from Corsaire Jacques Offenbach, Cancan de la Vie Parisienne |
The cast
| Mathias VIDAL / Asterix | Patrick ROCCA / Obelix | Laurent NAOURI / Caesar |
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| Thomas MORRIS / Cacofonix | Robert ABURBE / Vitalstatisitix | Bernard PISANI / Geriatrix |
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| Jean-Pierre COFFE / Getafix | ||
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and Alain Wilmet : Fulliautomatix Jean-David Stepler : Sandomicilfix, Chef pirate Olivier Ruidavet : Aromatix, Uptotrix Fabrice Némo : Centurion, Prefect Poisonus Fungus, Sailor Johan Nus : Legionary, Nomad, Pirate Djamel Mehnane : "Décurion", Captain |
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