According to France Télévisions, the Grand Choral des Nuits de Champagne 2024 brought together 850 choristes at the espace Argence in Troyes to perform a “Bal Tropical” concert featuring Bernard Lavilliers, Tiken Jah Fakoly, and Bon Vodou. Captured on October 25 and 26, 2024, the annual festival gathered amateur and professional singers from across France and the francophonie for a unique musical showcase.
Bernard Lavilliers Returns as Guest of Honor
According to France Télévisions, French artist Bernard Lavilliers served as the guest of honor for the Grand Choral for the second time, having previously held the role in 2008. The artist, known for his voice of gold, has participated in the Nuits de Champagne seven times since 1998 and previously took part in the “Grand Choral buissonnier” in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite dealing with a seasonal illness during the recording, Lavilliers chose to perform alongside the symphonic orchestra and polyphonic choirs. According to his statements to France Télévisions cameras, he praised the dedication of the participants: “I found it wonderful people whose main job it is not train on the fourths of fifths, thirds. It’s not so simple what they do. Musically, it’s pretty heavy so it takes hours and hours of rehearsal, of being very concentrated. In addition to singing my songs. It’s an honor they do to me so it would have been a shame not to come.”
International Collaborations and Stage Performances
According to France Télévisions, the 2024 edition focused on a theme of being open on the world, blending French-language chanson with international musical styles. Ivorian reggae icon Tiken Jah Fakoly made his debut appearance at the Grand Choral, performing his major songs to an enthusiastic crowd. Described as an apostle of militant reggae, Fakoly joined Lavilliers to perform tracks including “Africain à Paris” alongside Sting and “Plus rien ne m’étonne.”
Additionally, the duo Bonbon Vodou—comprising Jérémie Boucris and Orianne Lacaille—participated in the festival for the first time. According to France Télévisions, the duo brought maloya, joy, and playfulness to the stage, performing tracks such as “Karma” and “La flemme.” Five separate choir directors led the performers, representing the five continents in a reflection of the festival’s global theme.
The Grand Choral Tradition and Timeline
Established in 1993, the Grand Choral serves as the point d’orgue of the Nuits de Champagne festival. According to festival documentation, participants spend months preparing individually before gathering in Troyes for a week of intensive rehearsals to prepare the closing concert. Previous iterations have revisited the repertoires of notable artists, including Serge Gainsbourg in 2021 and the rock-opera Starmania in 2023.
Did you know?
The Grand Choral relies entirely on singers who train independently for months before dedicating a full week of intensive rehearsals on-site at the espace Argence in Troyes to master complex polyphonic arrangements.
Complete Setlist of the 2024 “Bal Tropical”
According to France Télévisions, the concert featured a diverse playlist spanning multiple genres and artists:
- “Karma” – Oriane Lacaille and Laura Cahen
- “Africain à Paris” – Sting and Tiken Jah Fakoly
- “Plus rien ne m’étonne” – Tiken Jah Fakoly
- “Noir et Blanc” – Bernard Lavilliers
- “On the road again” – Bernard Lavilliers and Sebastian Santa Maria
- “Melody Tempo Harmony” – Bernard Lavilliers
- “La flemme” – Jérémie Boucris and Oriane Lacaille
- “Tonton d’America” – Magyo Chefi, Tyrone Downie, and Moussa Boumbia
- “Le bal” – Bernard Lavilliers and Walter Araujo
- “Le cœur du monde” – Bernard Lavilliers and Romain Humeau
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Grand Choral 2024 recorded?
According to France Télévisions, the event was recorded on October 25 and 26, 2024, at the espace Argence in Troyes, Aube.
How many singers participated in the 2024 event?
According to France Télévisions, the choir consisted of 850 choristes.
Where can I watch the performance?
According to France Télévisions, the “Bal Tropical” concert is available to stream in replay on france.tv.
Who were the main guest artists alongside Bernard Lavilliers?
According to France Télévisions, the guest artists included Tiken Jah Fakoly and the duo Bon Vodou.
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