Hira Gasy

Field Opera – Madagascar

Hira gasy, which literally means “Madagascan song”, emerged in the 18th century in the regions of the Antananarivo and the highlands of Madagascar. A unique and synthetic genre, this rural opera is an edifying example of the cultural mixity of Madagascar and remains one of the island’s vectors of democracy and culture to this day.

About the performance

Hira gasy, which literally means “Madagascan song”, is a musical art form of the Merina people who inhabit the regions of the Antananarivo and the highlands of Madagascar. Its origins date back to the 18th century when the sovereign Andrianampoinimerina undertook to expand the rice fields and invited artists to encourage the dyke builders, bringing dancers, musicians, acrobats and masters of the art of oratory to the work sites. A new art form came into being from these encounters: the hira gasy.

A unique and synthetic genre, borrowing stripes, epaulettes, drums, violins and trumpets from European culture, this rural opera is an edifying example of the cultural mixity of Madagascar. This popular art is still practised today, and is written and devised to be low-brow, and remains one of the island’s vectors of democracy and culture to this day.

Joint production with the Maison des Cultures du Monde – CFPCI and Collectif 12 – Mantes-la-Jolie as part of the 22nd Festival de l'Imaginaire

  • Kaompania Rasoalalao Kavia

    • Pâquerette Rasoalalao: conductor, vocals, dance
    • Alfred Léonard Rasolofomanana: composition, trumpet, violin
    • Jean de Dieu Andrianasolo: mpikabary, trumpet, drum
    • Jean Baptiste Rakotobozaka: vocals, dance
    • Maminiaina Misaela Rakotonarivo: vocals, dance
    • Jean de Dieu Ramilisaona: trumpet, violin
    • Germain Randriamifidy: vocals, dance
    • Mamitian’ny Vola Nirintsoa Marka Rasarindraniaina: vocals, dance
    • Louis Jean Chrisostome Rasoloarinirina: drum
    • Elise Ratolojanahary: vocals, dance
    • Fanomezantsoa Arette Ravaonasolo: vocals, dance
    • Jean de Dieu Razafimahatratra: violin
    • Charline Odette Razanamasoandro: vocals, dance
    • Doly Odeamson: surtitles
  • Duration:  01:15
  • Place:   Théâtre Claude Lévi-Strauss
  • TimeSlots:
    The Saturday 10 November 2018 from 18:00 to 19:15

    The Sunday 11 November 2018 from 17:00 to 18:15
  • Accessibility:
    • Handicap moteur
  • Public:   All publics
  • Categorie : Events
  • As part of:   Week-end Madagascar et l'océan Indien
00:00 / 00:00
Hira Gasy | Spectacle au théâtre Claude Lévi-Strauss
Né sur les Hauts Plateaux de Madagascar, le hira gasy perpétue un art unique, mêlant discours, danses et chants. Un opéra des champs populaire et engagé, miroir du métissage culturel de la Grande Île. Deux représentations, les 10 et 11 novembre 2018 au théâtre Claude Lévi-Strauss du musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac. Infos et résa sur http://bit.ly/HiraGasyMQB À propos du spectacle Le hira gasy, littéralement « chant malgache », est celui des Merina de la région d’Antananarivo et des Hauts Plateaux de Madagascar. Genre synthétique à part entière, empruntant aux Européens galons, épaulettes, tambours, violons et trompettes, cet opéra rural est un exemple édifiant du métissage culturel de Madagascar. Encore pratiqué aujourd’hui, cet art populaire, écrit et conçu par les moins lettrés, demeure par ailleurs l’un des vecteurs de démocratie et de culture sur la Grande Île.
0:35 min