FC Sion to (classical!) music
Some will call it a case of carp and rabbit... But the marriage is set to be a landmark one: on August 18, FC Sion and the Sion Festival will be working hand in hand to introduce young audiences to classical music.
At the heart of the Festival program is the facetious Carnival of the animals by Saint-Saëns, with original texts composed for the occasion by François Rollin and recited by players from the famous soccer club.
Artistic director of the Sion Festival and soccer fan, Pavel Vernikov came up with the idea of a concert for football-loving children to Olivier Vocat, project manager for the 2013 edition of the Festival. The latter organized a meeting with Christian Constantin, who liked the project and suggested that several FC Sion players declaim the texts. The deal was struck, and the "player-declamateurs" were given a Sunday off during the match.
What was lacking were texts suited to the occasion and the players. François Rollin was asked to create original texts for the occasion, in place of the usual story written by Francis Blanche.
The line-up is now complete: the concert-event will bring together Camille Saint-Saëns and the FC Sion on Sunday August 18 at 5pm at the Ferme Asile in Sion - at the heart of the Classical Music Festival, which runs from August 9 to 21 on the theme of "Voice and Violin". Students from the HEMU, selected by audition, will form part of the orchestra.
More info: www.sion-festival.ch
