Libretto: Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Haléry
Premiere of the 4-act version at the Théâtre des variétés, Paris, September 25, 1873
“The public only likes well-known names”
La vie parisienne will be the highlight of the festival. In this joyful and festive operetta, we find idle dandies, ripped-off tourists, servants in disguise… In a way, it’s the satire of a segment of society devoted to appearances and the ephemeral. It is a pure entertainment!
The operetta was first performed in five acts at the beginning of the 1866-1867 season at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens. It was Offenbach’s 66th opera, written at the peak of his fame. With the help of his librettists, Offenbach is in an excellent position to depict, in broad daylight, the delightful joys of parisian life, while including a few tasty parodies, references and jibes at fashionable society. Like Offenbach’s modern opera, director Jean-Romain Vesperini sets the action in the chic, trendy Paris of the 80s!
To interpret the numerous characters, we’re delighted to welcome back the artists who made their mark at last year’s Festival d’opéra de Québec, as well as local singers we cherish, irresistible young talents and solid international names. Of course, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Chœur de l’Opéra de Québec and dancers will also be on hand. It’s a joyous cast that is sure to delight your eyes and ears!
With the Opéra de Québec Chorus and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec
Argument
Gardefeu and Bobinet mourn the loss of Métella, with whom they are both in love. Gardefeu decides to pose as an employee of the Grand-Hôtel to welcome and guide the Baron and Baroness Gondremarck, who have come to enjoy the pleasures of Paris. Hoping to seduce the Baroness, Gardefeu organizes a dinner party where his servants play high-ranking characters, such as Gabrielle, the widow of a colonel. A wealthy Brazilian joins the party. The scenario is repeated at a party at Bobinet’s house. In the last act, it’s the Brazilian’s turn – in love with Gabrielle – to organize a dinner party in a grand restaurant. Gondremark is to meet up with Métella, whom he has been flirting with. She arrives with a mysterious friend, none other than the Baroness. All masks come off, and the mood is one of forgiveness and celebration of la Ville Lumière, the City of Light.
Libretto: Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Haléry
Premiere of the 4-act version at the Théâtre des variétés, Paris, September 25, 1873
“The public only likes well-known names”
La vie parisienne will be the highlight of the festival. In this joyful and festive operetta, we find idle dandies, ripped-off tourists, servants in disguise… In a way, it’s the satire of a segment of society devoted to appearances and the ephemeral. It is a pure entertainment!
The operetta was first performed in five acts at the beginning of the 1866-1867 season at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens. It was Offenbach’s 66th opera, written at the peak of his fame. With the help of his librettists, Offenbach is in an excellent position to depict, in broad daylight, the delightful joys of parisian life, while including a few tasty parodies, references and jibes at fashionable society. Like Offenbach’s modern opera, director Jean-Romain Vesperini sets the action in the chic, trendy Paris of the 80s!
To interpret the numerous characters, we’re delighted to welcome back the artists who made their mark at last year’s Festival d’opéra de Québec, as well as local singers we cherish, irresistible young talents and solid international names. Of course, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Chœur de l’Opéra de Québec and dancers will also be on hand. It’s a joyous cast that is sure to delight your eyes and ears!
With the Opéra de Québec Chorus and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec
Argument
Gardefeu and Bobinet mourn the loss of Métella, with whom they are both in love. Gardefeu decides to pose as an employee of the Grand-Hôtel to welcome and guide the Baron and Baroness Gondremarck, who have come to enjoy the pleasures of Paris. Hoping to seduce the Baroness, Gardefeu organizes a dinner party where his servants play high-ranking characters, such as Gabrielle, the widow of a colonel. A wealthy Brazilian joins the party. The scenario is repeated at a party at Bobinet’s house. In the last act, it’s the Brazilian’s turn – in love with Gabrielle – to organize a dinner party in a grand restaurant. Gondremark is to meet up with Métella, whom he has been flirting with. She arrives with a mysterious friend, none other than the Baroness. All masks come off, and the mood is one of forgiveness and celebration of la Ville Lumière, the City of Light.
Thomas Le Duc-Moreau
Jean-Romain Vesperini
CONDUCTOR : Thomas Le Duc-Moreau
DIRECTOR : Jean-Romain Vesperini
SETS : Bruno de Lavenère
COSTUMES : Alain Blanchot
VIDEO : Étienne Guiol et Malo Lacroix
Jean-Luc Ballestra
Magali Simard-Galdès
Rodolphe Briand
Julie Boulianne
Dominique Côté
Geoffroy Salvas
Marie-Ève Munger
Sophie Naubert
Christophe Gay
Émilie Baillargeon
Geneviève Dompierre-Smith
Mary Bewitch
Presented by:
In collaboration with:
