Angélique Kidjo & Alexandre Tharaud

»Les mots d’amour« – Reflektor Angélique Kidjo

This concert has already taken place! 10 | 22 | 34 | 49
This concert has already taken place! 10 | 22 | 34 | 49
Angélique Kidjo / Alexandre Tharaud
Angélique Kidjo / Alexandre Tharaud © Fabrice Mabillot
  • Doors open 17:00

  • Start 18:00

  • End ca. 19:30

A love of life

Both artists are very fond of French chansons, and even if they seem to make an odd combination at first glance, it turns out that this is a musical match made in heaven: singer Angélique Kidjo, who thinks increasingly along conceptual lines, and the French pianist Alexandre Tharaud. One of Europe’s finest and most sensitive classical pianists, Tharaud has also gained a reputation among film lovers for his role in Michael Haneke’s film »Amour«; in recent years, he has established a loyal audience in Hamburg too.

In 2020 the two musicians met for the first time in Paris at a programme designed by Kidjo called »An African Odyssey«; they played two songs by Barbara and Charles Aznavour and established a deep mutual understanding straight away. Their programme »Les mots d’amour«, which they worked up together during the second lockdown, is not a celebration of gems from the seemingly inexhaustible repertoire of jaunty and frivolous chansons, as one  might think – a genre where the French are always portrayed as an easy-going people.

Kidjo and Tharaud want to include the pain and suffering that love can bring as well: they look at topics like domestic violence and abuse, and how an unshakeable love of life can help society’s unfortunates to cope with even the harshest circumstances. »Love is writ large here,« says Kidjo. Definitely one of the insider tips of her brimming »Reflektor« programme. A rare chance to hear this great and committed pop artist in the intimate setting of a song recital.

Performers

Angélique Kidjo vocals

Alexandre Tharaud piano

Programme

»Les Mots d´Amour«

Festival

Reflektor Angélique Kidjo

Promoter: HamburgMusik

Supported by the Stiftung Elbphilharmonie

From the Mediatheque : Videos, Podcasts, Articles

Play Video

: A look back at Angélique Kidjo’s »Reflektor« festival

What a party! For four days, this thrilling singer and several of Africa's most exciting voices filled the Elbphilharmonie with a vibrant atmosphere.

Angélique Kidjo’s African Women All-Stars

For the culmination of her »Reflektor« festival, Africa's prominent singer assembles several of her best colleagues on the Elbphilharmonie stage. Concert stream from 12.3.2023 no longer available.

ByteFM Podcast mit Angélique Kidjo

»Die Diversität der Menschen anzuerkennen macht uns stark, nicht schwach!« – Leif Gütschow von ByteFM im Gespräch mit der Sängerin aus Benin.

»The entire world in one voice«

French pianist Alexandre Tharaud talks about working together with Angélique Kidjo and about their shared passion for chansons.

During your visit

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

A public viewing platform on the 8th floor of the Elbphilharmonie

More about the Plaza

Food and Drink

Before the concert and in the interval

Find out more

Coughing, clapping, chatting

Tips for your concert visit

Read now