For the 100^th anniversary of Gabriel Fauré’s death.

Fauré’s Requiem occupies a singular place among the sacred works that have made their mark on the repertoire. Far from the operatic or thunderous requiems of Mozart, Berlioz, Brahms or Verdi, this is an intimate score of modest means, but with a very French seductiveness. Of course, Fauré did not want to outdo his glorious predecessors, but to keep up with the times, when Parisian piety was within the reach of the faithful, and he was undoubtedly more in line with the recent requiems by Liszt and Saint-Saëns.

Premièred at the Madeleine in 1888, for an architect’s New Year’s Eve ceremony, this (deceptively) confident work quickly enjoyed considerable success in concert. “Some have said that my Requiem does not express the fear of death, others have called it a death lullaby. But that is how I feel about death: a happy release, an aspiration to the happiness of the afterlife, rather than a painful passage.”

In this, the centenary year of Gabriel Fauré’s death, it is fitting that his most emblematic sacred work should be performed: the Requiem he put on at La Madeleine for the centenary of the execution of Louis XVI on 21 January 1893. This was followed by numerous performances around the world, and often enlarged versions for concert halls. Of this truly inspired Requiem, Victor Jacob has decided to perform the “church” version with a chamber orchestra (without violins, but with violas!), following the 1893 arrangement. He completes the programme with spiritual works by Rossini, Schubert and Brahms, beautifully showcasing the choristers of whom Fauré, as Chapel Master of La Madeleine, was particularly fond. The Choir and Orchestra of the Opéra Royal of the Château de Versailles create a sublime setting for this clutch of masterpieces.

Productions of the Royal Opera.

This concert is dedicated to the memory of Joëlle Broguet, founding member of ADOR – les Amis de l’Opéra Royal.

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

First part: 40min

Intermission 

Second part: 40min

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.

In case of any technical problem, the box office service remains available to complete your order by phone at +33 (0)1 30 83 78 89 (Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm) or in our box office-shop (3 bis rue des Réservoirs, 78000 Versailles ; Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm, and on Saturdays with concerts or shows except during the Musical Fountains Shows, from 2pm to 5pm).

To ensure the best welcome possible, people with limited mobility are advised to book their seats by telephone.