How can deaf or hard of hearing people appreciate and vibrate in front of an opera? The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris seems to have found the formula. During sessions reserved for schoolchildren, he makes the children sing in sign language. A unique experience that arouses the enthusiasm of apprentice singers. “I feel that it gives me emotion”, testifies the young Nina, student at CEOP, the experimental speech therapy and educational center which welcomes deaf and hard of hearing people. “It was a bit funny with the clown but a bit sad too, it brings tears to your eyes.” “The sets are beautiful, the sounds, the music”, continues another student, also hard of hearing.
On stage, singers and musicians led by conductor Victor Jacob present a reworked version of Rigoletto. Giuseppe Verdi’s drama, a masterpiece of romantic opera, thus goes from three hours to one and fifteen hours. A way to make this art available to as many people as possible, including people with disabilities, while having fun. Posted on a corner of the stage, interpreters tell the story live in sign language.
To better understand the work, a week before the performance, young people discovered behind the scenes, the elements of the sets and the manufacturing secrets of certain sounds such as the wind machine or the rain machine. You have to see them, perfectly attentive to the demonstrations while their ears hardly work anymore.
If the hearing of these children is tired or non-existent, all the rest of their body is sensitive to the surrounding movements. And the sounds propagated in the form of waves create vibrations of the air perceived by other awakened senses.
They have a global perception that is completely kinesthetic. We with our ears forget that we have a body. Our body is a giant skin and therefore a vibrational body.
Sandrine Perraudeamusic teacher for the hearing impaired
At home or in class, the students were also able to rehearse the songs thanks to a sign language video specially designed for the hearing impaired.
The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées is not at its first attempt in terms of participatory theater where young audiences are invited to sing. In 2021 he had already put together an adapted version of The Elixir of Love by Donizetti. Due to the pandemic and the absence of an audience, a recording of the opera was broadcast on the channel Lumini.
Every year 15,000 children, with or without disabilities, are welcomed by the institution. Everyone receives the music with their feelings and their imagination.