Bintou Were a success in Théatre du Châtelet in Paris

Bintou Were, a Sahel Opera was received very well in Théatre du Châtelet in Paris where it was performed on 25, 26 and 27 October 2007. Links to some Reviews

Read the article by Koulsy Lamko on Bintou Were for Nukta Art Magazine

European Premiere on 10 June during Holland Festival

HM Queen Beatrix, HRH Prince Friso and HRH Princess Laurentien attended the European premiere of the Sahel Opera on 7 June in the muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam. The performace was part of the Holland Festival and practically sold out all performances in the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam on 7,8,9, and 10 June 2007.

HM Queen Beatrix, HRH Prince Friso and HRH Princess Laurentien with members of the cast and artistic team of Bintou Were, a Sahel Opera. Photo was taken after the European premiere on 7 June in the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam.
Photo: Capital Photos

Extra performance on 10 June of ‘Bintou Were,’ a Sahel Opera

An extra performance of ‘Bintou-Were, a Sahel Opera’, during the Holland Festival was scheduled on 10 June in the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. Ticketsto the performances on 7, 8 & 9 June sold out.

The team of Bintou Were, a Sahel Opera, arrived at Schiphol 2 June 2007, here is a photo with the Director of the Prince Claus Fund, Els van der Plas and persons of the artistic team and the cast who is ready to perform the Opera in the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam - photo Capital Photos

The premiere of the Sahel Opera was originally scheduled for November 2006 but was delayed due to the sudden death of production coordinator, Michel Mavros.

17 February Sahel Opera Premiere in Mali

On February 17th, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Friso, Princess Mabel, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands attended the world premiere of ‘Bintou Were, a Sahel Opera’ in Bamako, Mali. This unique African production was held on a specially built open-air theatre on the banks of the Niger before an audience of 2000. Prince Friso and Prince Constantijn are the Prince Claus Fund’s honorary chairmen.

A taste of the Opera

The three main singers and four musicians performed a scene from the opera at the 2006 Prince Claus Awards Ceremony, December 13, 2006, in Amsterdam, giving that international audience a taste of the production to come.

Michel Mavros suddenly passed away

On Monday 9 October 2006 Michel Mavros passed away in his home in Paris. Michel Mavros played a central role in the production of the Sahel Opera as production co-ordinator and talent scout for Africa. read more