In the rich connections between Venice and Versailles—ranging from the flotilla of Petite Venise to the mirrors of the Hall of Mirrors surrounding the Grand Canal—the works of Vivaldi played a significant role. His famous Four Seasons were frequently performed in Paris, and his work La Senna festeggiante was specifically created to honor Louis XV.

This commission by the French ambassador in Venice celebrated the 1725 marriage of King Louis XV to Marie Leszczynska. The young king was fifteen, while his bride was twenty-two.

This grand serenade in two parts, structured like a small opera, brings together Virtue and the Golden Age along the banks of the Seine in celebration. The glory of the King of France is allegorically magnified by particularly sumptuous and virtuosic music.

Inaugurated in 1780 for Marie Antoinette’s private performances before the Court, the Queen’s Theatre is an absolute marvel. Built by Richard Mique as a true theater in a compact format, it still retains all its original machinery and numerous sets where the Queen herself once performed—until, in 1784, she shifted her attention from theatrical performances to the rustic charm of her new retreat: the Hamlet of Trianon.

Presenting this work in a fully staged, period-costumed production within the sumptuous movable sets of the Queen’s Theatre promises an unforgettable evening.

Concert for the launch of the Château de Versailles Spectacles CD

Production: Opéra Royal / Château de Versailles Spectacles