The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was a spectacle that not only captivated the world but has now been recognized by the music industry with a GRAMMY nomination. The electrifying joint performance by the French metal band Gojira and the Franco-Swiss opera singer Marina Viotti has been highlighted in the Best Metal Performance category. This collaboration marked a milestone by bringing metal to an event of this magnitude, creating a unique synergy between two musical genres on such an iconic stage as the opening of the Olympic Games.
The piece performed, titled Mea Culpa (¡Ah! Ça ira!), was a groundbreaking version composed by Victor Le Masne, inspired by a traditional French song. During the performance, Gojira’s members, led by Joe Duplantier, thrilled the audience from floating platforms set along the Seine River, while Viotti, aboard a wooden boat, delivered her powerful lyrical voice. The performance was accompanied by a spectacular pyrotechnic display, further elevating the majesty of the ceremony, which was watched by millions of people around the world.
A HISTORIC NOMINATION
Following the announcement of the nomination, Marina Viotti expressed her excitement and gratitude: “I am deeply honored and proud to represent both the French metal scene and French opera at the GRAMMYs with Mea Culpa. It’s our highway to heaven from the Olympic Games alongside Gojira and Victor.” The band Gojira also shared their excitement, highlighting the unexpected nature of this recognition: “We are honored to have been nominated for a GRAMMY. Being part of this entire experience, from the Olympic Opening Ceremony to this nomination, is as thrilling as it is unexpected.”
Victor Le Masne, the composer behind this innovative fusion, commented: “Bringing metal to an Olympic ceremony for the first time was something I was very proud of, but being nominated for a GRAMMY alongside Gojira and Marina Viotti is truly a great honor.” With the upcoming GRAMMY Awards ceremony scheduled for February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, this nomination reinforces the artistic legacy of Paris 2024 and highlights how music can break barriers, uniting styles and cultures on the global stage.
