“The 30 years make it possible to reveal and follow the young talents discovered at the Victoires”, underlines Marc Voinchet, president of the Victoires de la musique Classique. The ceremony, held on Wednesday March 1, indeed celebrated the “Victoires generation”: mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti was awarded the title of opera singer of the year, while pianist Bertrand Chamayou received that of instrumental soloist.
“Les Révélations is the real driving force behind Les Victoires: introducing young artists to the general public gives this program its full meaning,” said violinist Renaud Capuçon, who was first awarded as Révélation aux Victoires before winning the instrumental soloist of the year trophy. “We must take advantage of these 30 years to support a whole generation who believe in what they do despite the difficulties”, in particular the soaring energy costs which weigh on the theaters, added Marc Voinchet.
To mark the anniversary, a best of the best moments of the Victories was presented at the end of the ceremony, held in “one of the most beautiful rooms in Europe”, according to Marc Voinchet, the auditorium of Dijon, with 1,640 places. “The recognition of my country means a lot to me,” said French-Swiss Marina Viotti as she received her trophy during a ceremony broadcast live on France 3 and France Musique, and set to music by the Dijon Bourgogne Orchestra. led by Debora Waldman.
The mezzo-soprano, who began opera singing in Vienna in 2011, quickly established herself on the international scene in demanding roles, such as Rosina (The Barber of Seville) at the Bolshoi and at the Rhine Opera, La Périchole at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Alceste at the Opéra de Rome… This season she will take her first steps at the Opéra Bastille as Stéphano in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet.
“It is an immense happiness after the four Victories already received”, declared Bertrand Chamayou, elected instrumental soloist of the year. The multiple pianist with a vast repertoire, both chamber musician and great defender of contemporary music, remains a coveted guest of the illustrious festivals of Lucerne, Edinburgh, Salzburg and La Roque d’Anthéron, or even the Mostly Mozart in New York, the Beethovenfest Bonn and the Klavier-Festival Ruhr.
