This is one of the key moments of the “Yellow Pieces Gala”, which is being held – a first – at the Accor Arena this Friday, January 26 in the evening.
Gims will sing for the first time on stage two opera arias by Verdi, “La Donna è mobile” (“Rigoletto”), then, in a duet, “Semper Libera” (“La Traviata”) with the Lamoureux orchestra and the lyrical star Nadine Sierra.
The American soprano will also take over Sia's part on “I forgive you”.
We witnessed their magical encounter on Thursday during rehearsals.
“What an experience!”
» said the rapper, very impressed by the voice of his partner and the virtuosity of the symphony orchestra.
He gave us his first impressions.
How did you experience these rehearsals?
GIMS.
I had a lot of fun and have rarely been so impressed.
Nadine Sierra, when she sings, she shows you your limits, she tells you stop
(laughs)
.
It is above all enriching.
This is the first time I've performed on stage with this cap and done covers.
In the lyrical field, I don't have the same reference points, it takes a lot of observation with the conductor.
You saw: I rehearsed for an hour and a half, even though rehearsals are my pet peeve.
How did you prepare?
I worked as hard as I would for a tour.
I rehearsed with an extraordinary coach, Marie-Thérèse, who taught me the particular lyrical technique.
You can't come with something of your own, you have to respect the sound.
I rehearsed twice at the Garnier opera with Nadine Sierra, I learned Italian, pronunciations, I did a month of rehearsals, an hour and a half a day, just for one evening.
I wanted it to be perfect.
This year, the show is even more elaborate.
It's not: I arrive, I do my song and I leave.
This is the third year in a row that you have sung for the “Yellow Pieces”.
For what ?
Its important to me.
Who didn’t grow up with “Yellow Coins”?
What's great about this gala is its hybrid side, K-pop with the symphony orchestra, reggaeton star J. Balvin with trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf... I really want to include classical in my next tour.
What is also strong is to bring together for the cause stars from all over the world, ASAP Rocky, J. Balvin, Lisa from Blackpink, Maroon 5… “Avengers” who come for free and without an album to promote.
That’s beautiful too!
If we succeed in the challenge of a big show, it will become an institution.
An Avengers Restaurant of the Heart!
You are very involved in charity.
Yes.
I have a big free festival in Morocco and I'm setting up one in Congo for young autistic people.
In Kinshasa alone, 800,000 children are not cared for.
We're going to do the premiere with my brother Dadju at the end of the year.
I would like to do something similar in France, with the Congolese artists who are so numerous in the top 50. I have to talk about it with the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati.