Synopsis
Listen to the synopsis
Julia, a priestess in the Temple of Vesta, is torn between her religious duties and her love for the Roman general Licinius. This is the crux of La Vestale, Gaspare Spontini’s opera, written at the beginning of the First Empire.
Dedicated to Josephine and multiplying political allusions to Napoleon, the work was a triumph from its first performance at the Paris Opera in 1807. Admired by Berlioz, the score features brilliant orchestration and a sustained lyrical vocal style that heralds grand opera while remaining true to the legacy of Gluck.
After remaining absent from the Paris Opera for almost 150 years, the return of this work in its original French version is an eagerly awaited event. Stage director Lydia Steier explores the themes of religious extremism and militaristic zeal: can love have any hope of surviving between these two ruthless extremes?
Duration : 3h40 with 2 intervals
Language : French
Surtitle : French / English
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Opening
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First part 75 min
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Intermission 20 min
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Second part 45 min
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Intermission 20 min
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Third part 60 min
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End
Artists
Opera in three acts (1807)
Creative team
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Gaspare Spontini Music (1774 - 1851) -
Étienne de Jouy Libretto -
Bertrand de Billy Conductor -
Ching-Lien Wu Chorus master -
Lydia Steier Director -
Étienne Pluss Set design -
Katharina Schlipf Costume design -
Valerio Tiberi Lighting design -
Olaf A. Schmitt Dramaturgy
Cast
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Elza van den Heever Julia -
Michael Spyres Licinius -
Eve-Maud Hubeaux La Grande Vestale -
Julien Behr Cinna -
Jean Teitgen Le Souverain Pontife -
Florent Mbia Le Chef des Aruspices, un consul
Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Media
Saturday 29 June 2024, join us for a live performance on Paris Opera Play.
Access and services
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Calculate my route
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Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
-
Parking
You can park your car at the Q-Park Opéra Bastille. It is located at 34 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82
Online
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Calculate my route
-
Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
-
Parking
You can park your car at the Q-Park Opéra Bastille. It is located at 34 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82
Online
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