Semiramide

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June 2025
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The opera season draws to a close with Rossini’s Semiramide this evening, followed by An Italian Women in Algiers tomorrow. Let us begin with Semiramide. The libretto for this “tragic melodrama” inspired by Voltaire is by Gaetano Rossi, who ten years earlier wrote Tancredi for Rossini based on the same author. Semiramide is Rossini’s longest opera seria, but its scale should not deter audiences as the form of the ensemble is nigh on perfect. We can detect a rare overall balance between the dramatic and powerful subject matter and a highly elegant treatment. The sincerity of love counterbalances treachery and the libretto contains many sudden plot twists. The vocal virtuosity required is enormous, yet absolutely exquisite. The opera seria genre was neglected for many years, but is now making a comeback on the stage, championed by performers who can meet its exacting standards. Karine Deshayes is undoubtedly one of the great singers who can perform this repertoire with the skill it requires.

Program and cast

Sung in Italian, subtitled in French and English.
Approximatel running time 3 hours


Karine Deshayes | Semiramide
Franco Fagioli | Arsace
Giorgi Manoshvili | Assur
Alasdair Kent | Idreno
Mara Gaudenzi | Azema
Antonio Di Matteo | Oroe
Cast to be completed

 

Valentina Peleggi | direction
Opéra de Rouen Normandie Orchestra
Chœur accentus / Opéra de Rouen Normandie | direction Vito Lombardi 

Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées is undoubtedly one of the finest venues in Paris . Built in 1913 , it has the distinction of having been designed by a group of artists architects Henry Van de Velde and Auguste Perret , the painter and sculptor Antoine Bourdelle , the painter Maurice Denis , and the crystal- René Lalique to do mention the main ones . He was the first Parisian theater to be built entirely of reinforced concrete.

 

Restoration of the Great Hall devoted to operatic performances , symphony concerts and dance was decided in 1985. Two years later , on 23 September 1987, the theater reopened its doors , completely renovated. Fifteen years after this important work it was decided to undertake a new renovation campaign , but to prevent the complete closure of the theater for an entire season , work is now carried by step during the summer . Then it is to replace aging equipment , to remedy wear certain parts of the theater and improve spectator comfort and artists during their visit . Thus in recent years, including the work involved the renovation of marble facade, replacing the carpet in the room with wooden floors , installation of a new fully decorated wooden concert to a significant improvement of acoustics, the orchestra pit and stage below .

 

The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées is now a modern working tool receiving each year nearly 300,000 spectators and a few thousands of artists and collaborators.

 

The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées , the jewel of French architecture of the twentieth century, was in 1953 one of the first buildings of contemporary architectural heritage to be classified as historic monuments . Since 1970 the Caisse des Dépôts owns the entire building 15 avenue Montaigne and principal patron of the theater.

 

For over a century, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has been the place where the most celebrated artists have come to make their names in Paris. The world’s finest orchestras and world-class soloists have always been a fixture at the Theatre. Théâtre des Champs-Elysées presents more than 200 concerts each year and is renowned for its outstanding performances of all genres, from classical music concerts and staged opera to contemporary dance and jazz.

 

How to reach us:
 

Subway: Alma-Marceau (line 9), Franklin D.Roosevelt (line 1), Pont de l’Alma (RER line C)

Bus: n° 42, 63, 72, 80, 92
Taxi station: Place de l’Alma, corner of avenue George V
Car park: Alma George V. The entrance is in front of n° 19, avenue George V
Fixed rate depending on the length of the performance. Payment upon entering.

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