The Opéra de Saint-Étienne creates the event by producing a work never performed since its creation in 1900: Lancelot by Victorin Joncières (1839-1903). The entire technical and artistic team is fine-tuning the final settings in preparation for the performances, from May 6 to 10, 2022.
Victorin Joncières was a great admirer of Wagner. He knew a thwarted fate and his work was long forgotten. Lancelot, on a libretto by Édouard Blau and Louis Gallet, evokes the secret love of the Knight of the Round Table with Queen Guinevere, which King Arthur will eventually learn. But here, Lancelot is not the one we imagine. “He’s not the romantic hero, he’s extreme, he’s a fanatic, in love he’s demented as well as in his desire to go to war”, explains the director Jean-Romain Vesperini who ensures the creation of the opera.
The energy and talent of this director is reflected in the striking personality of the conductor, Hervé Niquet. The founder and director of the Concert Spirituel joyfully leads his choristers who discover Lancelota French opera marked, musically, by romanticism. “Victorin Joncières, it’s very well written for the voice, it’s happiness, they have caramel in their mouths, it’s difficult but they are very happy”, he rejoices.
“The 19th century looking at the Middle Ages”
On stage, the soloists also tirelessly rehearse their score. Just like the costume designers who are busy getting everything ready for the premiere. Made-to-measure created in the workshops of the Saint-Étienne opera house. “The idea in terms of the costume is the 19th century looking at the Middle Ages”, explains Mathilde Perrot, costume manager.
“Lancelot” at the Opera of Saint-Étienne. From Friday 6 to Sunday 8 May 2022 Performance times Friday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 3 p.m. Tuesday May 10, 2022 at 8 p.m. Price: from 10 to 60 €