Presenting a modern tale on the inner journey, patriarchal society and individual achievement, the world premiere of La Victoire de Karima turns the concert hall, for a day, into a high-voltage boxing ring or sports stadium.

Karima, a free-spirited young woman, confronts the reality of her female condition and of the streets by taking up boxing, to the great displeasure of her father who, himself a former boxer, nevertheless ends up supporting her. A contemporary fable about the emancipatory power of sport and the struggle against social and family determinism, La Victoire de Karima is a hybrid work blending choral tradition (with two choirs, one of angels and the other of demons, competing for the heroine’s spirit) and elements of musical comedy and urban music, including slam.

Geared towards popular audiences, this participatory opera features sport choreographies orchestrated by the Aubervilliers association ‘Boxing Beat’ and invites the public to step into the ring! Edwin Baudo, well known to the young choir singers, has created a rhythmic and lyrical score complete with chanting and body percussion, that masterfully captures and reflects the energy, doubts and struggles of our time.