A sound and visual exhibition on Zidane at the Philharmonie de Paris

"Zidane, a portrait of the twenty-first century", originally a film released in theaters in 2006, plunges the visitor into the heart of a football match between Real Madrid and Villarreal, filmed in 2005 in real time at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, says the Philharmonie in its 2023/2024 program unveiled Tuesday.

Seventeen giant screens will broadcast, "by spatializing them, specific sound content" inviting the visitor to dive into "Zidane's breath, his inner voice, the sound of clashes on the pitch, the chant of the supporters, the sounds of the clash of bodies and the strikes of the ball". All combined with original music by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai.

The Philharmonie will also organise "match-concerts" during the Rugby World Cup: the matches broadcast live on the big screen will be accompanied by musical interludes and the recreation of the musical atmosphere of the stadiums.

As every year, the most prestigious orchestras and soloists will jostle in the Pierre Boulez Hall, and Philip Glass, one of the most influential contemporary composers, will be honored.

A new edition of the La Maestra competition, dedicated to female conductors, concerts dedicated to "female composers of yesterday", dance performances and the first festival dedicated to children are also on the program.

Inaugurated in 2015 in the east of Paris and now a reference in terms of acoustics, the hall will launch "La Balise", a local radio antenna involving young students or people working around the building.

Despite an increase in attendance, the Philharmonie recorded a deficit of 2.5 million euros in 2022, widened by the inflation of the cost of energy (+40%), the increase in the wage bill (+3.5%) and, above all, the withdrawal by the City of Paris of one million euros from its subsidy. In addition, the State has not unfrozen part of its subsidy placed in reserve (1 million).

For 2023, the situation remains complicated, with a probable deficit between 3 and 4 million euros, due to the explosion of energy costs (+240%). However, the Philharmonie expects increased state support and the unfreezing of credits, as well as an increase in the share of patronage of nearly 30%.

Grants represent 60% of the total budget of the hall (119 million euros).

© 2023 AFP