Madame Monsieur goes on tour

"Change and exchange" is the theme of a major Swiss artistic production which has just begun a tour of Europe. Entitled "Madame Monsieur", it is a combination of dance, music and the architecture of the performance space itself.

Conceived by Geneva-born artist and choreographer Philippe Olzà, “Madame Monsieur” will be touring this year’s four designated European Cities of Culture until the end of November.

The production, which includes singers, dancers as well as the Zurich Baroque Chamber Orchestra, combines baroque with more modern music but it does not follow any specific narrative.

Instead it deals with the idea of change and exchange, and the production metamorphosises according to the location in which it is being performed.

Over the next five months there will be performances in villas, castles and museums in the four cities – Krakow, Prague, Bergen and Avignon.

The first of two weeks in each city is devoted to rehearsals and is open at various times to the public. The audience can then offer advice and input to the Madame Monsieur production team ahead of opening night.

Olzà, whose rehearsal studios are in Basle, said this production “is an important showcase for Switzerland across Europe”.

The tour has received backing from both the public and private sector, and is also supported by the Swiss foreign ministry.

by Tom O’Brien