10 December 2024
Notre Dame Cathedral reopening combined history, dance music and technology
French DJ Michael Canitrot marked the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral on 8 December 2024 with an evocative audiovisual performance, reimagining the iconic landmark through a dynamic interplay of light and sound that bridged the sacred and the contemporary.
The event, broadcast globally by French TV channel Mondovision, illuminated the restored grandeur of the cathedral’s architecture with an innovative fusion of music, digital mapping and lighting design, offering a forward-thinking artistic lens while preserving its historical essence.
The production utilised 30 Panasonic PT-RQ35 projectors, supplied by Alabama Media, seamlessly powered by Modulo Pi’s advanced Modulo Kinetic media servers. Bringing this ambitious vision to life were video mapping experts Cosmo AV and AV Extended, in collaboration with the innovative creative studio Superbien, whose combined expertise shaped the stunning visual narrative.
“I drew inspiration, both musically and visually, from elements unique to the cathedral: the sound of the bells, the artworks inside, the voices of the Maîtrise Notre-Dame choir, and the classical style. I want to convey a universal message, so that everyone can connect with my music and feel inspired to say, ‘I want to come back and visit Notre Dame,’” Canitrot shared.
This latest performance is part of Canitrot’s ongoing Monumental Tour, a project that merges electronic music with culturally significant sites.
