(MADAGASIKARA)
Our first project, Madagasikara, will be carried out in partnership with “coconut water”, to bring opera to Madagascar.
Agua de Coco is a foundation dedicated since 1994 to international cooperation, awareness and education for development. Contributing to improve the quality of life of people at risk of social exclusion and focusing especially on women and children, and using education as an engine for the development of communities.
The process will be carried out in two phases
PHASE 0 JUNE 2023 IDENTIFICATION
- completed -
Operational Objectives of Phase 0
1. Understand the culture and social reality of the beneficiaries: the Malagasy people.
One of OSF’s intentions is to be a voice for the idiosyncrasy of the Malagasy community, and our project aims to give greater visibility and prominence to the set of traditions, legends, beliefs, or customs maintained by tradition, as well as their current relevance.
To understand the socio-cultural reality of the Malagasy people, we spent 14 days in the Toliara region, where, in addition to working at CASEM, we visited various Agua de Coco projects and the local prison.
2. Conduct theater and music workshops to discover the artistic capabilities of the participants and learn from their artistic forms of expression.
The didactic approach and teaching-learning dynamics of CASEM are unique. The presence of students constantly fluctuated, and there was such a diversity of knowledge and levels that improvisation became the driving force of the practice.
Through group dynamics, we contributed to the discovery, development, and expansion of knowledge in expressive and scenic interpretation for the participants. This has allowed the beneficiaries to have a first glimpse of what a theatrical performance is, a first approach to the theatrical aspect of opera. Similarly, thanks to the proposed exercises, they learned to set texts to music, distinguish different harmonic modes, and bring instruments together under a common code with a shared goal: artistic practice in collectivity.
3. Understand and assimilate the operation of CASEM.
We had the immense pleasure and honor of participating in CASEM’s activities. We observed that, according to the objectives set for this stage, it is currently necessary to direct all CASEM resources towards the challenge we have before us: to jointly create Madagascar’s first feminist and ecological opera.
4. Determine the location for the opera's performance and rehearsals.
We visited different available spaces (Cinéma Tropique, Pistas deportivas Bel Avenir, Pabellón polideportivo cubierto, estadio de fútbol) to accommodate the artistic team, technical crew, and cast of the opera, evaluating the suitability of the location, its existing equipment, as well as possible renovation actions, if necessary.
5. Connect with the existing cultural, artisanal, and professional network to establish collaborations for Phase 1.
This objective was not achieved beyond some informal contacts with artisans, fabric stores, etc. The comprehensive work carried out at CASEM made it impossible for the production team to complete this task, although CASEM assured us of having contacts with the necessary trades.
6. Document the entire process
To be accountable to partners and institutions and to create material for the libretto and opera composition, we have documented our stay in Toliara graphically. Hours of video have been recorded, and thousands of photographs have been taken, which will also be part of a small audiovisual documentary that will assist both organizations in raising funds for the project. de nuestra estancia en Toliara. Se han grabado horas de vídeo y realizado miles de fotografías, que van a formar parte también de un pequeño documental audiovisual que nos ayude a ambas organizaciones a recaudar fondos para el proyecto.
PHASE 1 SPRING SPRING 2024 CREATION, PREMIERE and TOUR
In the summer of 2024 OSF, having composed and written the opera, will return to Madagascar to carry out the project with the participants.
It will be a professional process of more than a month of rehearsals, culminating in the premiere of the piece in Tulear.
For more information about the “Agua de Coco Foundation”, click on its logo.
