The Lafayette Bicentennial Tour by the National Orchestra of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Experience an immersive 90 minute show brought to you by the National Orchestra of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, blending music, light, and images, to pay tribute to Marquis de Lafayette and his courage.

This is a night that you won’t forget! With the support of U.S. and France-based organizations providing iconographic materials surrounding Lafayette’s life, this project will give viewers a unique vision of Lafayette, his history, as well as his homeland of Auvergne and its beautiful orchestra.

This program is part of the Embassy of France in the United States’ Bicentennial celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s farewell tour.

Program

Thomas Zehetmair, Conductor and Violinist

Joseph Bologne
Chevalier Saint-George: Anonymous Lover, Overture

Ruth Crawford Seeger
Andante for Strings

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major KV. 219

Thomas Zehetmair
Passacaglia, Burlesque, and Chorale for String Orchestra (World Premiere)

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Great Fugue in B-flat Major Opus 133

This original and immersive show combines three elements working simultaneously to provide a once-in-a-lifetime event around the Marquis de Lafayette and his incredible story.

About the Performance

The Narrator
A real life Lafayette performer, dressed as the Marquis, will narrate Lafayette’s story in the first person – from his beginnings in France, to his fight for American Independence, and finally his triumphant return to the US in 1824-1825 upon an official invitation from the nation.

The Projection
A new-tech generated video recreation of certain key moments of Lafayette’s life and journey using images and archives from different dedicated organizations in France and the US will immerse a new generation of audiences in the experience. A specialized French studio will arrange the projection’s iconography.

The Concert
The musical program will reflect Lafayette’s lifetime with select French and American compositions from the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries as well as an original piece written by the conductor Thomas Zehetmair.

The Orchestra
From quartet to orchestra, the global string ensemble continues to project the charm of its region beyond international borders, while innovating within the Clermont-Ferrand metropolis and Auvergne through a multitude of musical formats adapted for all audiences, from children’s concerts to musical cafés, including recitals in retirement homes and local residencies – a diversified approach recognized by the Ministry of Culture in 2019, which awarded the ensemble the prestigious title of “Orchestre national en région” (National Regional Orchestra).

Testifying to the great diversity of its repertoire, the Orchestra has recorded 60 albums to date, exploring a multitude of musical styles, from Baroque masterpieces to contemporary creations. The ensemble is also the first French orchestra to have created its own 100% free digital label, OnA Live, which has already been broadcast over 400,000 times in almost 90 countries. Since its creation in 1981, the Orchestre National Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has always strived to reach a wide audience, both regionally and internationally. Nestled in the heart of the Massif Central, the ensemble is acclaimed by lovers of French orchestral music for its unique sound, strength, and quest for absolute perfection. Originally formed under the direction of Jean-Jacques Kantorow, the orchestra’s signature sound has been gradually shaped by the invaluable contributions of past and present musical directors, and is now recognized the world over.

Security Rules: Each person attending the event must have a ticket registered in their name and a government-issued ID that matches the name on the reservation to enter the Embassy. No one will be admitted without a reservation and official ID. Due to strict security measures, please arrive on time, as doors will open at 6:30PM. Please allow extra time for security screenings.