Gloria e Imeneo - Versailles Opera house (2024) - Gloria e Imeneo - Opéra Royal du Château de Versailles (2024)

Description

New production.

"Commissioned from Vivaldi by the French Ambassador in Venice to commemorate the marriage of Louis XV to the Polish Princess Marie Leszczynska in September 1725, this wedding serenata was doubtless given in the gardens of the Ambassador during a sumptuous party mixing music, dance, celebration and gastronomy. Vivaldi's fame was at its peak at this date, the publication of his Quattro Stagioni in the same year 1725 having given him an exceptional reputation throughout Europe. The serenade revolves around of two characters who praise the young royal couple: Imeneo (Hymeneus, God of marriage) and Gloria (Glory, attribute of the King of France).Hymen and Glory compete in beauty and virtuosity to celebrate the radiant destiny of the French Monarchy, and congratulating the young couple, until uniting their two voices in a splendid final duet.Among the many works of Vivaldi, this little opera intended for the Court of France is certainly a stroke of charm as much as a masterstroke.

The two young star countertenors, the French Théo Imart and the Italian Nicolò Balducci will combine their sublime voices, particularly easy in the soprano register, to give Vivaldi the bright silver color that suits his music so well. Accompanied by the Royal Opera Orchestra, they will be conducted by Stefan Plewniak, a dazzling violin virtuoso who promises to perform a high-flying version of this work! Director Nicolas Briançon – Molière in 2015 and nominated seven times in 2019! – will bring this formidable musical allegory to life, in the incredible period decor of the Théâtre de la Reine, specially designed for the occasion. An exceptional evening in an intimate and miraculously preserved royal theatre..."

More information is available on the official website of the opera house.