On December 27, 2014, France 2 entrusted Marianne James with the presentation of the very first edition of “Prodiges”, a competition structured around three categories: lyrical singing, instrumental music and classical dance. The show thus reveals, from the first season, the violinist Camille Bertholet, subsequently nominated for the Victoires de la Musique Classique in the “Revelation” category in 2016. As the tenth season looms at the end of the year, France 2 declines this concept and offers “Prodiges Pop”. This new version, of which the 15 candidates are aged 9 to 16, retains three specialties (instrument, dance, singing) but taking “a small step aside”, as Nicolas Missoffe, producer at Endemol, explains. “Instead of playing or dancing to Mozart, Beethoven or Liszt, the orchestra will perform Juliette Armanet, Johnny Hallyday, Daft Punk, Michael Jackson,” he explains. To give this more pop color to the sound, we added a bass-drums-guitar-keyboard rhythm line to the orchestra, which really gives a musical color very different from what is the signature of “Prodiges”. As for the dancers, instead of doing classical pointe, they will do modern jazz, or contemporary.”
Will of transmission
The show also has a jury specific to the world of pop. Choreographer Blanca Li is delighted to see passionate children. The one who “never could have lived without dance”, a discipline she started at the age of 12, wants to “help them improve and follow their dreams even further”. The trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, also a composer and producer, sees it as the logical continuation of his desire to transmit and wishes to promote the presence of the instrumentalists. “They don’t have enough visibility in the musical and media world,” he believes. This show is an incredible opportunity to show that instrumentalists can touch, impress, put on a show, can be just as exciting to follow as singers and dancers.” As for Chimène Badi, herself discovered in “Popstars” in 2002, she hopes to be able to support these children with kindness and gentleness, believing that at their age she would perhaps not have had the courage to take this step. “’Prodiges Pop’ is a version that perhaps leaves room for a little more flaws, things a little less perfect,” she adds. It’s in imperfection that we find emotion, for me it’s important. Music is about transmitting, sharing things and that’s why I’m here and why I’m participating in this event with immense pleasure.”
“Technique does not take over emotion”
But what really guides the choice of these jurors? Certainly, the technique, but not only that. “For the singing, I want to feel something true, sincere, honest,” begins Chimène Badi. Then I also want to let go, I want the child in front of me to have fun, to take pleasure. For me, technique does not take over emotion.” Ibrahim Maalouf insists on the importance of having “a minimum of baggage and virtuosity” but also adds charisma. “It’s important because it’s an image job,” he notes. When you’re on stage, if you don’t assume your position, there will come a time when you’ll have trouble making it your job. Then the most important criterion is above all to feel that I have been touched by the artist in front of me.” So many arguments that Blanca Li supports.
In any case, the passion that drives these young talents seems to be infectious since Faustine Bollaert’s children, who came to watch the filming, could not resist it. “They’ve been bothering me ever since,” admits the presenter. My son wants to play the electric guitar and my daughter wants to break dance, so I tell myself that we are really into what the show conveys. I have the impression that it is a gateway to different arts which therefore seem very accessible to them.”
At the end of this first evening, the jury will designate the three best prodigies in each category. The final will take place next week, on Saturday September 23.