In 1840, riding the wave of exceptional success, Donizetti presented his first French-language opera, La Fille du régiment. (The Daughter of the Regiment) in Paris. King Louis-Philippe had just reopened Versailles, deciding to create a museum dedicated to “all the glories of France”. It paid greater tribute to Napoleon than it did even to Louis XIV, in a France fervently awaiting the return of the Emperor’s ashes. Suffice it to say that patriotism was at a peak, and The Daughter of the Regiment was perfectly in keeping with the mood. Donizetti joyfully gives his all to this unlikely love story between the camp follower Marie, who has become the regiment’s adopted daughter, and the intrepid Tonio, who has saved the young woman and joined Napoleon’s army. There are patriotic arias and choruses, an onslaught of bel canto and Tonio’s famous aria, the “Everest of Lyric Art” with no less than nine high Cs !

The thousandth performance took place in Paris in 1914. During the December 1840 performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Lily Pons, after an astonishing “Salut à la France”, launched into La Marseillaise, which became a symbol of freedom in the midst of war. The virtuoso soloists Gwendoline Blondeel and Patrick Kabongo, accompanied by the French Army Choir, will transport the audience at the Opéra Royal to the beating heart of the motherland.

Royal Opera / Château de Versailles Spectacles Production.

This program will be recorded on a CD to be released on the Château de Versailles Spectacles label.

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
The Daughter of the Regiment

Opéra-comique in two acts, with libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard, first performed in Paris in 1840.

New Royal Opera Production.

Show in French with French and English surtitles.

PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY: Best seats in house with complimentary glass of champagne and programme.

PRESTIGE CATEGORY: Excellent seats with complimentary glass of champagne and programme.

REDUCED RATE: applicable to under 26s, Chateau de Versailles Spectacles card holders and groups of more than 10 people (excluding special company offer).

GROUP RATES: for more information, please refer to our page dedicated to works councils and groups.

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