A masterpiece of comic opera rediscovers its Mozartian or French vein

In 1781, the young Mozart left the city of Salzburg and his position with Archbishop Colloredo, with whom he no longer got along. He then settled in Vienna, the musical capital, which he set out to conquer. To make a name for himself in the opera world, the young composer took advantage of a commission from Emperor Joseph II for the Burgtheater. He then composed an opera that moved away from the highly codified opera seria to develop a more national genre: the singspiel, a musical comedy that would be his first opera in the German language.

The opera was premièred one month after its completion, in July 1782, under the composer’s direction. The reception was triumphant, and the emperor congratulated Mozart while confiding in him, in a remark that has become famous: “Too beautiful for our ears, and much too many notes, dear Mozart!” ». To which the composer is said to have cheekily replied, “Just as many as necessary, Your Majesty!” ». The opera was then restaged in Vienna, then in Prague, Leipzig, and Salzburg, marking the beginning of Mozart’s Viennese career at the age of twenty-six !

What charmed and astonished the emperor, as well as the rest of the audience, was undoubtedly the boldness of the composition, visible in the multiplication of effects and its irresistible joyfulness. Here Mozart yields to the vogue for Turkish themes both in the choice of subject and in the use of instruments evoking a certain orientalism: piccolo, triangle, and cymbals, which are heard from the overture simulating the fanfares of the janissaries.

Gaétan Jarry, leading the Chœur de l’Opéra Royal and the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal, brings Mozart’s music back to life, enhanced by the staging of the great opera enthusiast Michel Fau, and by a French-language version that sounds absolutely natural !

Delegated production by the Royal Opera / Château de Versailles Spectacles.
Co-production by the Opéra de Tours.
Costume design by the Opéra de Tours workshop and Corinne Pagé.

CD and DVD available in the Château de Versailles Spectacles collection.

Sung in French.

Show in French with surtitles in French and English.

Opera in three acts with a libretto by Johann Gottlieb Stephanie, premiered in Vienna in 1782.
French translation by Pierre-Louis Moline (1739-1820), French playwright and librettist.

Revival.

First part : 1h40

Intermission

Second part : 40 minutes

PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY : Best seats in house, you will receive a complimentary programme and a glass of champagne.

PRESTIGE CATEGORY : Excellent seats, you will receive a complimentary programme and a glass of champagne.

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