It is a love letter to the divas of Quebec song as well as to all the women that Lydia Bouchard wrote with Vive nos divas. Le Journal had the chance to visit behind the scenes of this 6th opus in the Cirque du Soleil Tribute series and to meet the artists of this show combining acrobatics and songs.

Behind the scenes of the Gogeco Amphitheater in Trois-Rivières, the people we meet are smiling, busy and focused. As the premiere of Vive nos Divas is in 15 days, everyone is busy in their department; while finding a few minutes to talk to us.

We discover some of the thirty accessories that will create a visual balance in the different scenes of this expected show, as well as several of the 160 costumes that will be worn on stage. Everywhere, red prevails: the color of love, passion, strength and life.

Because if Vive nos Divas plunges us into a period of 90 years of Quebec songs, it is also a feminist fable imagined by the director Lydia Bouchard (known for her role as a judge on the dance show Révolution).

"We follow a young girl guiding her people towards what will be their evolution," explains the designer. She is a young queen representing the strong young women of the new generation. The whole thing is a parallel between the evolution experienced by women here and the evolution of 90 years of Quebec songs. »

To interpret this young Phoenix, two teenage actress-singers were chosen after a long audition process. Colette Lemay, 12 years old, and Anaïs Gonzalez, 13 years old, will alternate between performances in this major role which will require them to be on stage for 50 minutes of this ten hour show.

The first – who is also the daughter of Lydia Bouchard – played in December and Le petit Noël at Place des Arts for four years and the second participated in La Voix au Mexico. Both, we specify, know how to sing as well as take their place on stage. They are also supported by singers Marie-Christine Depestre, Heidi Jutras and Francesca Comeau.

Difficult choices

“We had to make difficult choices,” explains musical director Jean-Phi Goncalves. According to the story, there are songs that became evident by their subject, their atmosphere and their energy. There are also all the acrobatic numbers that need a certain emotion. ” The one who is also behind the music of Arlette, the next film by Mariloup Wolfe, had fun undressing and redressing the 19 chosen songs, so that people experience both surprise and comfort.

"The engine remains the music and the songs that are deeply rooted in our collective imagination," adds Lydia Bouchard. You can't do a show about women without making some kind of statement about how it's evolved: a journey we've made together that's reflected in those 90 years of songs that I've drawn from. »

In addition to the three songs already unveiled (The beginning of a new time, Renée Claude, Cobra, Marie-Mai and I will go where you will go, Céline Dion), we want to keep the secret as to the pieces and the performers chosen. These will be drawn from different eras and styles. Winks will also be given to great local choreographers.

Long live our divas, from July 20 to August 20 at the Cogeco Amphitheater in Trois-Rivières. Tickets: cirquedusoleil.com/fr/vive-nos-divas