Surrounded by a space opera
The idea of building a better world strikes a chord in the challenging times we live in today, while the manga setting is well suited to illustrating this dystopian universe and its endless cycle of hope and unity. Film co-director Arthur Qwak says: "The idea of manga immersion is to embark on a journey into a sublime setting and to follow the emotions experienced by the characters."

On stage, the performers are surrounded by a manga space opera projected on the screen of the auditorium. The objective, according to Baudry, is to "create resonance and dialogue between expressive and poetic drawn images, immersing the audience to enable them to intimately engage with what unfolds before their eyes".

Towards a better world

The values in the story of Beethoven Wars are coloured by mythological and magical elements, and according to Equilbey, "present amplified visions of good and evil". The heroic, idealistic, and luminous profiles of the manga characters, filtered through the rich sounds of Beethoven's music, strongly resonate with the composer's hopes for humanity. "It is important to note that it all started with Beethoven's music, and the addition of the film created a new relationship between the audience and the music," Equilbey says.

It may be unusual to see cinematic visuals and sound design in a concert hall, but the project "believes in the wonder children feel when faced with beauty, in the possibility of peace, and in the reconciliation of people who have been enemies for generations". Beethoven Wars strongly believes in this utopian vision and aims to share it with the widest possible audience, "from opera enthusiasts to manga enthusiasts and lovers of new stage experiences, regardless of their generation", Equilbey says.