Par Alma Torretta
Returning to the Paris Opera after twelve years of absence, The Daughter of the RegimentGaetano Donizetti’s first work in French, will be performed from October 17 to November 20, 2024 at the Opéra Bastille. Now based in Paris, Gaetano Donizetti received a commission from the Opéra-Comique in 1838 and The Daughter of the Regiment was created there two years later. In this opera, which anticipates the vivacity of Offenbach, the Italian bel canto is enriched with military and patriotic songs since the action takes place in the 21st infantry regiment of the Napoleonic army, with the famous cockade opening and airs of bravery like “Ah! my friends.”
In the staging by Laurent Pelly that transposes the work during the war of 1914, created in 2007 in London and which has since toured the world with equal success, it is under the expert direction of Evelino Pidò that the soprano Julie Fuchs will reprise one of her favorite roles, that of the vivandière Marie who refuses the arranged marriage that her mother wants to impose on her. Alongside him, the American tenor Lawrence Brownlee will perform the role of Tonio. Brownlee will be found in February at Bastille in Bellini’s The Puritans. Belgian baritone Lionel Lhote will be Sergeant Sulpice, mezzo-soprano Susan Graham will be the Marchioness of Berkenfield, who turns out to be Marie’s mother, and mezzo Felicity Lott will be the Duchess of Crakentorp.
The Daughter of the Regiment will be broadcast live on the Paris Opera POP streaming platform on November 6 at 7:30 p.m., then will be available there for 7 days.
The Daughter of the Regimentcomic opera in two acts (1840). Music by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848). Libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean François Bayard
Musical direction: Evelino Pidò, Direction & costumes: Laurent Pelly, Set design: Chantal Thomas, Lights: Joël Adam, Choreography: Laura Scozzi, Dramaturgy and adaptation of dialogues: Agathe Mélinand, Chorus director: Ching-Lien Wu, Orchestra and Choirs of the Paris National Opera.
Marie : Julie Fuchs, Tonio : Lawrence Brownlee, Sulpice : Lionel Lhote La Marquise de Berkenfield : Susan Graham, Hortensius : Florent Mbia, La Duchesse de Crakentorp : Felicity Lott, Un paysan : Cyril Lovighi, Un Corporal : Mikhail Silantev.
