Recital/ Performance by François Chaignaud

This creates a platform in which a body may bridge the chasms between the sensual demands of movement, the evocative potency of song and the convergence of heterogeneous historical references – from erotic literature (Aussi Bien Que Ton Cœur Ouvre Moi Les Genoux, 2008) to sacred arts.

Being an historian, as well, he published L’Affaire Berger-Levrault: le féminisme à l’épreuve (1898- 1905) through Presses Universitaires de Rennes (PUR). This curiosity about history led him to pursue a number of very diverse collaborations, notably with legendary drag queen Rumi Missabu of The Cockettes, cabaret artist Jérôme Marin (Sous l'ombrelle, in 2011, which revisits forgotten melodies of the early 20th century), artist Marie Caroline Hominal (Duchesses, 2009), fashion designers Romain Brau and Charlie Le Mindu, plastic artist Théo Mercier (Radio Vinci Park, 2016), photographer Donatien Veismann and video artist César Vayssié.

He is currently researching polyphonic repertoires (Georgian, pre-Christian and medieval) and focusing on a new creative project in collaboration with artist Nino Laisné, blending folk music, song and dance centred on the character and many literary incarnations of Orlando.

In 2005, Mr Chaignaud began his collaboration with Cecilia Bengolea, with whom he founded the Vlovajob Pru contemporary dance company. Together, they created Pâquerette (2005-2008), Sylphides (2009), Castor et Pollux (2010), Danses Libres, (M)IMOSA (co-written and performed with Trajal Harrell and Marlene Monteiro Freitas, 2011), altered natives’ Say Yes To Another Excess – TWERK (2012), Dub Love (2013) and DFS (2016). They were awarded the Prix de la Critique de Paris in 2009, then the Jeunes Artistes award at the 2014 Gwangju Biennale for their entire body of work. Their works have been performed at many major events and locations, including the Festival d’Automne in Paris, the Centre Pompidou, Impulstanz in Vienne, The Kitchen and Abrons Arts Center in New York City, the Festival d’Avignon, London’s Tate Modern, ICA and Sadler’s Well Theatre, Tanz im August in Berlin, Lyon’s Biennale de la Danse, Montpellier Danse, deSingel in Anvers and the Centre National de la Danse in Pantin, France, where a retrospective of their work will be presented in spring 2017.

Mr Chaignaud and Ms Bengolea are currently working on another project, an exhibition of ancient and new dances, as well as an ensemble of videos and performances at the Dia Art Foundation, Beacon and Chelsea, for 2017-2018.

Mr Chaignaud is an associate artist at Annecy’s Bonlieu Scène Nationale, alongside Ms Bengolea.

Eager to explore every trend, his repertoire covers music from the 16th century to present day (musicals, pop). He regularly puts on piano and organ concerts, both as soloist and chamber musician. Mr Spampanato devotes a significant portion of his work to chamber music, particularly the German lied and the French mélodie, most often with his partners Harmonie Deschamps, Edwin Fardini and cellist Raphael Jouan. His talents are often sought by the Cris de Paris, the Choeur Lamoureux and many other prominent choirs, helping to promote choral works. His artistic openness led him to record the organ music for Sacha Wolff’s film Mercenary, screened at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2016.

Mr Spampanato has a profound appreciation for dance and played in a two-piano version of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring choreographed by Christiana Morganti (Tanztheater Wuppertal, Pina Bausch) with the Junior Ballet of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. During the Scènes du Geste show at the Centre National de la Danse, he performed on the toy piano and accompanied choreographer Maguy Marin.

As an organist and improviser with a strong interest in Baroque music, Mr Spampanato is regularly called to perform this repertoire he so loves as a soloist or continuo player. For a number of years, he played the organ at Saint Bertrand de Comminges, accompanying Guillemette Laurens’s Académie de Chant Baroque. In 2015, Mr Spampanato received his professional certification as an organist, authorised to play at both Notre Dame de Bercy (Paris 12th arrondissement) and the superb organ of Notre Dame des Vertus in Aubervillier. 

Also a devotee of orchestral keyboards, Mr Spampanato has had the opportunity to perform such works as Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and Firebird, Respighi’s Pines of Rome, Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and Ravel’s Scheherazade and Ma mère l’Oye under the direction of prestigious conductors, including Lawrence Foster, Jacques Mercier, Pascal Rophé, and Lionel Sow.

He was selected to take part in the Kyoto International Music Students Festival in May 2016. Mr Spampanato was awarded the Oriolis Prize by the foundation and patron of the same name, and has received endowments from the Mécénat Musical Société Générale, the Meyer Foundation and the Fondation Drouet-Bourgeois.

Soon, he will be scheduled to perform three concerts in the Petit Palais auditorium, including a piano recital, a second recital with cellist Raphael Jouan, a duet with tenor Fabien Hyon, and an organ concert in the Église de St-Louis-en-l’Ile, made possible by the Jeunes Talents association.