Today, the Royal Opera House in Versailles presents the French première of Ghosts of Versailles, an opera in two acts composed by John Corigliano with a libretto by William M. Hoffman suggested by La Mère coupable by Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais.
(c) J. Henry Fair
The opera was first performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on December 19, 1991. This production was first performed at the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown (NY) on July 13, 2019. It is the alternate standard version with 10 principals (instead of 14 at the Met).
Marie-Antoinette’s ghost is devastated by her premature death. Her favourite theatre writer, Beaumarchais, tries to amuse her with a new composition. He creates an opera within an opera, featuring Figaro, Count Almaviva and Susanna, all trying to save the queen from beheading in a musical and spirited production. (reproduced from the Château de Versailles website)The cast includes soprano Teresa Perrotta (Marie-Antoinette), bass Jonathan Bryan (Beaumarchais), mezzo Kayla Siembieda (Susanna), baritone Ben Schaefer (Figaro), tenor Brian Wallin (Earl Almaviva), soprano Joanna Latini (Rosina), bass baritone Peter Morgan (Louis XVI) and tenor Christian Sanders (Patrick Honoré Bégearss). Joseph Colaneri conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Jay Lesenger directs.
The performance should last about 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one interval.
I will attend the first two performances on December 4 and 5.
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