Bonsoir Monte-Carlo

Revue

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Josephine Baker’s passing

As part of Monaco’s National Day celebrations

Precisely 100 years ago, in September 1925, a 19-year old dancer and singer arrived at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris for the show that would make jazz popular in Europe and its protagonist a female icon: Josephine Baker. Fifty years later, she had long become a French citizen, highly respected for her work in the resistance and the Forces françaises libres during the Second World War, a fashion icon and fighter for human rights. She managed to realise her utopian dream of creating a family of twelve children, adopted from different countries and social circumstances, even though this brought her financial ruin. A show in Paris celebrating her 50 years on stage in April 1975 was attended by her close friend, Princess Grace of Monaco, a few days before Josephine Baker died, the Princess at her side. Josephine spent her last years in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and regularly appeared on stage in Monaco, where many places still pay her tribute. Furthermore, although she made her symbolic entrance into the French Pantheon in 2021, her earthly remains still rest in Monaco. Opening on Monaco’s National Day, this is a new show commissioned by the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, which, 50 years after her demise, celebrates Josephine Baker through her unforgettable songs.

Program and cast

Conductor | Yvan Cassar

Libretto | Nicolas Engel

Director | Davide Livermore

Deputy director | Sax Nicosia

Sets | Giò Forma

Costumes | Gianluca Falaschi

Lighting design | Antonio Castro

Videos | D-Wok

Choreography | Erika Rombaldoni

Assistant costumes | Anna Missaglia

Choir of the OPÉRA DE MONTE-CARLO
Orchestre philarmonique de Monte-Carlo