Les Vêpres siciliennes
A great, neglected Verdi opera is brought to the Royal Opera House for the first time in an imaginative new staging by Stefan Herheim.
When to see it
Booking for 17 October 2013 - 11 November 2013 opens
- Booking opens 9 July 2013 at 10.00am for General Public.
- Booking opens 12 June 2013 at 10.00am for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opens 4 June 2013 at 10.00am for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opens 31 May 2013 at 10.00am for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opens 30 May 2013 at 10.00am for Premium 2 Friends.
Les vêpres siciliennes
Thursday 17 October 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les vêpres siciliennes
Monday 21 October 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les vêpres siciliennes
Thursday 24 October 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les vêpres siciliennes
Tuesday 29 October 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les vêpres siciliennes
Friday 1 November 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les vêpres siciliennes
Monday 4 November 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les vêpres siciliennes
Thursday 7 November 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les vêpres siciliennes
Monday 11 November 2013, 6.00pm | Main Stage- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Poplavskaya
- Hymel
- Schrott
- Volle
- Daly
- Cooper
- Darmanin
- Yun
- Kim
- Teitgen
- White
- Royal Opera Chorus
Introduction
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.
Background
Les Vêpres siciliennes is one of Verdi’s lesser-known mature operas, but was vital to his development as a composer. It was created for the Paris Opéra in 1855, providing Verdi with an opportunity to embrace the elaborate style and traditions of French grand opera.
Stefan Herheim brings Verdi’s tale of revenge, family relations and patriotism to Covent Garden for the first time. His imaginative production draws 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’.
Live cinema season
Les Vêpres siciliennes will be screened live in cinemas on 4 November
Thanks to
Generous philanthropic support from
Mrs Susan A Olde OBE, Mrs Aline Foriel-Destezet, Mr and Mrs Baha Bassatne and The Maestro’s Circle
A co-production with
The Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen
How to support the Royal Opera House
Running time
The performance lasts about 4 hours 30 minutes | Including two intervals
Language
Sung in French with English surtitles
Credits
| Director | Stefan Herheim |
| Dramaturg | Alexander Meier-Dörzenbach |
| Set designs | Philipp Fürhofer |
| Costume designs | Gesine Voellm |
| Lighting design | Anders Poll |
| Choreography | Johan Kobborg |
Related links
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: Les Vêpres siciliennes
