SPECTACLE The musical “If I love you, take care of yourself”, honors the singer Emma Calvé. Performances are planned at the Parc de la Victoire, but also at the Château de Cabrières.
The life of Emma Calvé, her journey and her character: this is what offers to discover the musical If I love you, take care of yourself, dedicated to the famous singer. A historical reconstitution of the destiny of the artist born in Decazeville and known throughout the world, in particular for her interpretation of Carmen. “The project was born out of a request from the choir director of the Emma Calvé choir, Emilia Archimbaud”, recalls Christine Gaubert, head of the project’s staging. A long-term job since it has already been two years since the professional, who has already worked for similar people on the side of Sévérac-d’Aveyron with the association Just a taste, is working on the musical.
“I work from books written by Emma Calvé, continues Christine Gaubert. I wanted to show the less known aspect of her, her career but also her character. On stage, it is therefore the words of the singer herself that will be played over a period from 1880 to 1940. Historical situations will be reproduced, such as the meeting between Emma Calvé and Queen Victoria of England at Coven Garden. . To accompany these scenes, an unreleased disc by the artist, dated 1910, has been denoised by the Compeyre laboratory. “It’s his voice that we hear, there are passages of incredible vocalizations,” adds the director.
Five representations on the territory
After long months of work, the show troupe, made up of nearly 70 people including dancers, choreographers, artists and also technicians, is preparing to present the outcome of their project. Three performances are scheduled at the Parc de la Victoire (August 4, 5 and 6) and two at the Château de Cabrières, former property of Emma Calvé (August 10 and 11). “The latter has been closed to the public for 40 years, playing there will be moving, just like in the park where it is a first for this type of show”, specifies Christine Gaubert.
With costumes larger than life, the actors and dancers will recreate the universe of Emma Calvé. To the rhythm of I seek fortune, Se canto or even the blue Java, the life of the artist unfolds. From her beginnings in Paris, her first successes, her failures, until her triumph in her role as Carmen. “She went to Spain to learn dance from the Gypsies and will succeed in imposing her gestures in her interpretation of the character”, recalls the director. In addition to its artistic side, it is the human qualities of Emma Calvé that the musical tells. “She who was always traveling had the love of people”, confirms Christine Gaubert.
While the premiere takes place this Thursday evening at Victory Park, the show troupe has already been training for a week on site in the evening. At the stroke of 9 p.m., the atmosphere should be transformed to take spectators to another era, when the paintings presented will tell the story of Emma Calvé’s life. In song, of course.
Information: 06 38 24 78 68. Prices: €8 adult, €4 for 15 to 18 year olds, free for children under 15 (subject to two children for one adult). August 4, 5 and 6 at the Parc de la Victoire, August 10 and 11 at the Château de Cabrières at 9 p.m.
