“Night Of The Proms”

Last Friday, the Palais Nikaïa had a date with classical and pop music: a rather extraordinary cohabitation between these two music styles that has been going on for 26 years. A magic that shows no signs of fading, as demonstrated by the 2,500 Nice spectators present who did not hesitate to sing and dance: having a party with music was the only order of the day that evening.
A Flashback on this magnificent show!

It is 7:30 PM, the room is starting to fill up. You can barely see any empty chairs. On stage, a large white curtain, sounds letting us guess that the musicians are getting into place.

8 PM, the curtain falls majestically, revealing the II Novecento symphonic orchestra and the Fine Fleur choir on a rendition of “Toccata & Eve of the War”: more than a hundred people on stage conducted by the famous baton of conductor Robert Groslot.
It is grandiose!

Dvorak’s “Slavic Dance No. 1” announces the arrival of the sensual Anggun, who has truly conquered Nice and France with “Snow in the Sahara” (double gold record).

After Asian grace comes oriental enchantment with Faudel. Who would have thought that the “Little Prince of Raï” and the “genius of 250 years” would be programmed in the same concert! We love them so much, we bring them together.

The room and stage are plunged into darkness: only two light beams emanate from these two places. Like a duel straight out of a western, two cowboys shoot at each other while a harmonica blows us the notes of “Once Upon a Time” by Ennio Morricone. “Once Upon a Time” at the Nikaïa, a remake of a film signed Night of the Proms.

Finished with gunshots, “Hello Dolly”! Or should we say “Hello Mimie”! With overflowing vitality, Mimie Mathy takes the stage dressed entirely in white like an angel fallen from heaven. Yes, Mimie Mathy is not only a comedian, actress and entertainer, she is also a singer and dancer and she proved it to us that evening!

What an atmosphere! And it’s not over! The standard-bearer of Corsican culture also had a place Friday. Vibrant, poignant, the polyphonic songs of I Muvrini captivated all of Nice: a true reflection of the character of the Isle of Beauty applauded by its mainland neighbors.

A white piano is then set up on stage. John Miles, inseparably linked to the Night of the Proms, will perform his magnificent rock ballad “Music” “which is the true anthem of the Proms because this song expresses so perfectly the very essence of the event, notably the expression of our love for future music and music from the past.” Let’s continue this romantic atmosphere with Vincent Niclo, the hit of the evening, who revealed to us in exclusive preview one of his songs “Strength of You,” extracted from his album which will be released next April 3rd. From seductive Rhett Butler we move to the lovely Tina Arena. The beautiful Australian took us into “Another Universe” by singing “The Winner Takes It All.”

After a Mozart medley, we give Jennifer time to make her “revolution.” We won’t hide that fans of the most Nice of our stars were euphoric in the room. Such emotions deserve an intermission.

The second part of the evening begins with Rossini’s “The Thieving Magpie.” Then, the evening’s host makes an appeal: “We need 10 women who can dance the samba” to go to Rio. Without hesitation, they take the stage: for the duration of a song, they will be Vincent Niclo’s “claudettes.” A true firecracker, he sets the Nikaïa on fire without hesitation to go into the pit. The party is in full swing!

Anggun, the beautiful and talented princess from Asia, returns to the stage to stop the rain. A little tenderness and much emotion when our guardian angel sings us a message of peace and solidarity. Mimie Mathy has truly taken on her new role by performing “For All the Children of the World” and “Take a Child by the Hand” which the audience sang back in unison. Mimie sings and makes our hearts sing: an accomplished artist.

Then the room transforms into a ball with the “Emperor’s Waltzes.” It is the women who invite for a waltz around the bleachers. Couples of all ages form. “It’s gold” as Jennifer sings.

As the soul of the Isle of Beauty announces “The Weather It Will Be,” the audience will sing back in chorus “A Voce Rivolta” with a recall of the group I Muvrini: proof that Corsica was and is in the hearts of the people of Nice. A true “Triumphal March” as composed by Verdi.

Now it’s time for oriental dance: the front rows will have the privilege of dancing with Faudel. With “I Want to Live,” the singer of Algerian origin had fun adding a little sparkling and Maghrebi note to the show. The public from the Côte d’Azur is conquered by these colors. And what can we say about the female trio that enchants them with their sensual charm on “Hot Stuff.”

The penultimate song transforms the Nikaïa hall into a giant karaoke: Standing, the 2,500 spectators sang “Land of Hope and Glory.” Nice singing the British national anthem, never seen before.

More than three hours of show, more than three of celebration closed by “Hey Jude” by all the invited artists.

Once again, Night of the Proms succeeded in bringing together French, English variety and the highly respected classical music.

Standing Ovation! The people of Nice were conquered and want more! Mission accomplished for Jean-Claude Camus, the producer and for Jan Van Esbroeck and Jan Vereecke, the creators of Night of the Proms. We will have to wait until next year. What surprise does “Night of the Proms 2007” have in store for us? We have no doubt that the programming will be as superb as that of 2006.