The musicians of Ictus are always ready to launch into epic and festive adventures in the service of contemporary music. After a Ligeti odyssey in May 2009, or L’ENFER of François Sarhan in 2008, they create at the Lille Opera a work by the Milanese composer Riccardo Nova.

Born in 1960, he first came to notice with a recent production of highly individual music, at the crossroads of Indian tradition, contemporary music and experimental noise. His music, as psychedelic as that of his friend Fausto Romitelli (deceased in 2004), integrates the esoteric qualities of Karnatic music from southern India: complex rhythmic virtuosity within the framework of a sacred science of numbers. This is the meaning of the title of this new work: Primes, prime numbers.

Georges-Elie Octors, as master of ceremonies, gently beats the rhythmic cycle or "tala" and directs the three Indian artists – two percussionists and a violinist – and the five musicians of Ictus, whose instruments are multiplied by midi and loop machines: electric guitar, keyboards, violin, cello and electric flute.

In the second part of the evening, the three Indian masters are joined by Fabrizio Cassol and his ensemble Aka Moon. Partners with Alain Platel, they scored a hit with the Lille public with their performances of Vsprs and Pitie!, with their unparalleled musical universe mixing jazz and rock with classical and contemporary styles.

“Jazz, in its origins, is the first multicultural music”, says Fabrizio Cassol. And he sets out to prove it: no sooner have they left the stage with Ictus, our three Indian virtuosos will be back and cooking away in the burning cauldron of Aka Moon. A fraternal jousting match between titans of rhythm!

Programme:
Filter 1: Numbers and Colours
“Primes” for Indian virtuosos and contemporary and electronic musicians
by Riccardo Nova (commission from the Lille Opera)
Filter 2: Swing and Phrases, with Aka Moon & Friends.

With
Ictus, ensemble in residence at Lille Opera
Musical direction Georges-Elie Octors

Aka Moon
Musical direction Fabrizio Cassol

An "Ictus" cycle is planned for the Wednesday Concerts at 6 p.m. in the Foyer, with two concerts echoing the performances of Karnatics:

WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH AT 6 P.M.

Next Stop India (Karnatic Indian music)

WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH AT 6 P.M.

Verve and terseness: the string quartet in the 20th century Quartets by Stravinsky, Webern, Andersen, Ligeti