Search

Forthcoming Events

Tue 23 April, 2024
National Theatre
Wed 1 May, 2024
Royal Opera House
No event found!
Load More

Les Vêpres Siciliennes – Royal Opera House

Vepres-SiciliennesWe will be showing Les Vêpres Siciliennes live from the Royal Opera House, London at 5.45pm, Monday 4th November 2013. 

One of Verdi’s lesser-known mature operas, Les Vêpres Siciliennes was vital to his development as a composer and was created for the Paris Opéra in 1855, giving him the opportunity to embrace the elaborate style and traditions of French grand opera.

The French have occupied Sicily, and Hélène is held hostage by Montfort, the French governor, who has had her brother executed. She turns to the partisan Jean Procida and the rebellious patriot Henri in her bid for vengeance.

Director Stefan Herheim brings Verdi’s tale of revenge, family relations and patriotism to Covent Garden for the first time, his imaginative production drawing parallels between the opera and the opera house for which it was written, including a spectacular re-creation of the Paris Opéra itself.

Musically, the work contains impressive choruses, passionate duets and some wonderful showpiece arias for the principal singers. Particular highlights include Procida’s aria on returning to Sicily ‘Et toi, Palerme’, the Act IV duet ‘De courroux et d’effroi’ in which Hélène expresses her sympathy for Henri’s dilemma and Hélène’s brilliant Act V boléro, ‘Merci, jeunes amis’.

See trailer >

Please arrive by 5.15pm to register and to order interval drinks if you wish.

The George Hotel serves meals – please contact them directly on 01298 871382 if you would like to book a pre-show meal.

mailing List

Be the first to hear from us!