Tuesday 29 July
Angélique Kidjo

Voice and Piano

Winner of five Grammy Awards, Angélique Kidjo is one of today’s most celebrated international music artists — a creative powerhouse with 16 albums to her name. Hailed as “Africa’s premier diva” and named by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people, she blends the West African traditions of her Beninese childhood with elements of American R&B, funk, and jazz, as well as European and Latin American influences. Her striking voice, magnetic stage presence, and mastery of multiple cultures and languages have earned her the admiration of peers and audiences alike.

This evening, she invites us to join her on a truly visionary musical journey — one deeply rooted in tradition, yet constantly reaching forward with boldness and imagination.

“I've always loved singing duets with the piano. That way, you hear the quintessence of the melodies and the emotion they engender. I started playing on stage with West Indian pianist Thierry Vaton over 30 years ago. We've travelled the world together. His sense of rhythm is in tune with mine. Between his fingers, the piano becomes a pure African percussion instrument!

I'm delighted to be sharing the stage with him and rediscovering the songs I love, from Philip Glass to Burna Boy, from Talking Heads to my favorite French songs that have marked my 40-year career.”

- Angélique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo: voice
Thierry Vaton: piano