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The Stud, a place of creation

Singers, artists

Singers, artists

Opera and shows at “Le Pin” National Stud

In the context of the “Orne September Musicals”

The “Orne September Musicals” is the cultural organisation of musical events, hosted within the various heritage centres across the Orne county during the month of September, thus providing the public a wonderful occasion to step into local history!  “Le Pin” National Stud is one of such centres, hosting at least one annual concert, opera or show. 
Due to the good acoustics of the indoor riding school [manège] at the National Stud, operas are often organised at “Le Pin”.  Hence, in 2002 was hosted the Offenbach French librettos “Pomme d’Api” (1873) and “M. Choufleuri” (1861), each one-act operettas.  That same year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Festival, the famous “Théâtre du Centaure” (Marseilles) performed “MacBeth” in an astute combination of horse and theatre.  In 2007, the famous horseman “Bartabas” came to the National Stud to demonstrate breathtaking dressage movements, such as performed by the “Académie du Spectacle Equestre” [Academy of Equestrian Arts], located within the Royal stables in Versailles.  He and his students put on a wonderful show that turned out to be a climax in the 25th “Orne September Musicals” programme.  On this occasion, the indoor riding school [manège] of the National Stud School (just across the road from the main Stud) staged the equestrian figures, choreographed by Bartabas for an “Opus 2007” evening.
“Le Pin” National Stud is thus a privileged spot for hosting equestrian events and shows!

Photograph "Opus 2007" show by Bartabas "Académie du spectacle équestre" (Copyright D.Comenchal)

Equestrian show performers

The circus troupe "Ô Cirque", Gaby Dew, Myriam Laugier...

Each summer, sometimes extending all year long, equestrian show performers are given the opportunity to take up residence at “Le Pin”, revealing tricks and stunts during in-house shows and events.  In 2004, “Le Pin” welcomed the equestrian circus troupe “Ô Cirque”, with their huge tent set up in the outdoor riding school for hosting evening performances.  During the day, they trained and participated in “Le Pin Thursdays” showings, hosted every Thursday afternoon from June to September.  This was the first time that a circus ring was created in the main courtyard of the National Stud.  Its success was so much so that the experience was renewed in 2007, welcoming Gaby Dew and her ponies for the summer season.  Besides “Le Pin Tuesdays & Thursdays”, Gaby put on a show with her ponies every Sunday afternoon in the Stud’s indoor riding school.  This year, it is the turn of Myriam and her equestrian friends, including Gentlemen, the Shire Horse, along with many other surprises!  Myriam will also be present during “Le Pin Tuesdays & Thursdays” showings.

Photograph: Gaby Dew, DR/HN

The ideal film-setting

Simon Reggiani and Patricia Mazuy for the film entitled, “Basse-Normandie” [Lower Normandy]

In view of performing a tale on horseback, namely “Notes from Underground”, a short story by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, Simon Reggiani discovered an ideal working spot in the shape of Le Pin National Stud, before officially performing the play on the occasion of the 2003 Paris Agricultural Fair.

A special setting and strong heritage identity - Le Pin National Stud; a comedian - Simon Reggiani; a writer - Dostoevsky; not forgetting the film director herself - Patricia Mazuy, perhaps more well-known for the film “Saint-Cyr” starring French actress Isabelle Huppert; all elements that gave rise to the inevitable making of “Basse Normandie”, a film based on the work accomplished above at the Le Pin National Stud.

The film was released in 2004: “An astonishing film with a combination of sensations: the enjoyment of a documentary, the pleasure of the theatre and the love of the horse” (critics introducing the DVD); “This film inspires such tension, such emotion, such sheer energy, humour and love that one cannot resist”!  (“Les Inrockuptibles” - French generalised cultural magazine).

Photographs (DVD cover of the film “Basse-Normandie”)