In the Antonin Artaud auditorium where the Concert impromptu association is in residence, Violaine Dufès on oboe and her four colleagues are rehearsing their next show "La morsure de la limace" in Ivry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne) which will begin this Wednesday January 12.
The show, which aims to be "a praise of slowness" is an original creation by the musician and dancer.
At 34, she has just taken over the artistic direction of the ensemble of the world-famous wind quintet based in Ivry-sur-Seine.
Between two scores, she catches her breath to confide "to be honored with such a responsibility".
From the outset, she sets the tone, "it is quite rare for a woman, it must be underlined".
Lack of female role models
Originally from Nîmes (Gard), she began to play oboe at the age of 8 at the conservatory. His two teaching parents passed on to him “the love of music and art”. At the same time, she enrolled in a dance class. After a scientific baccalaureate in hand, she decided to go to Lyon to join a course in contemporary dance: “it happened quite naturally,” she says. She then joined the Geneva University of Music to find the oboe. “The oboe and dancing have always been part of my life, and I didn't want to choose. The two are very complementary. "
And already, during her studies, she noticed that she lacked female models in classical music.
“All of my teachers were men.
When you're young, you need to create role models.
“From an early age, she discovered feminism thanks to her mother who was passionate about literature.
“With readings, I really awakened to the condition of women in the world.
I continue to be interested in it, it is a subject that is very close to my heart.
"
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At 26, she joined the chamber music ensemble. With a particularity: in addition to offering contemporary classical music, Concert impromptu stages cross opera. A mix of chamber music, dance, and theater. "Totally in accordance with my career", confides the artist, who judges that "the movement brings such a difference in the creation. »For eight years, Violaine Dufès has traveled the globe in more than 40 countries. “From Ivry-sur-Seine to Indonesia, we have more than sixty chamber music concerts, it's very educational. I learned a lot in the field alongside my colleagues. "
She was also appointed by her peers to take over from Yves Charpentier flautist and founder of Concert impromptu.
He passes the hand, while still being part of the whole, "it's a smooth transition".
This appointment is "obvious to me", he says during the rehearsal.
Especially since he does not hide it "for a woman, it is twice as difficult to find a place in this environment.
So it was a great opportunity to change things.
"
Head full of ideas
Violaine Dufès now knows that she has her work cut out for her.
Between these new creations, and artistic direction, representation in institutions, she does not hide her enthusiasm: “I like taking leadership a lot,” she smiles.
With sparkling eyes, her head is already full of ideas, "to have her signature".
And her feminist commitment is never far away, by “putting the spotlight on composers, creators and musicians who deserve to be known.
Let's give places to women!
".
She also wishes to address young people: “I want to dust off classical music, bring young audiences back to theaters with original shows.
"
"The bite of the slug", from this Wednesday January 12, at 7 pm, at the Auditorium Antonin-Artaud, place Voltaire.
Information on 01.45.21.04.47.
