2025
OCT 5
Versailles
Noces Royales in Laon with Le Poème Harmonique
Sealing the peace of a kingdom was an act of love for Louis XIV. By marrying the Infanta Maria Theresa, daughter of the King of Spain, in June 1660, the young Louis XIV brought peace to his kingdom and ended a long war between Spain and France. To ensure that Parnassus resounded with tones of joy, the greatest festivities were held in honor of His Majesty during Louis XIV’s journey until his return to Paris. Based on preserved accounts of these celebrations, from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Versailles, this program recreates the musical works that accompanied them.
OCT 10
Sénart
Witch, sacred stories in Sénart with Il Caravaggio
Five singers and seven instrumentalists tackle the works of Purcell and Charpentier, quintessential Baroque compositions, around the theme of divine abandonment: The Witch of Endor, the shortest oratorio written by Purcell, and The Denial of Saint Peter, an emblematic reflection of Charpentier. Il Caravaggio will then bring Ferrandini’s Il pianto di Maria back to life in a remarkably expressive musical setting of the story of the Virgin at the foot of the Cross.
OCT 21-24
Versailles
Recording with Le Poème Harmonique
Victoire reprises the role of Cassandra, created last season in Agnès Jaoui’s production, for four days of recording in Versailles.
Photo: L’Uomo Femina recording
DEC 18-19
Rouen
L’Uomo Femina, Le Poème Harmonique, directed by Agnès Jaoui
More famous than Vivaldi in his day, Baldassare Galuppi, a key figure in Italian Baroque opera, composed flamboyant, virtuosic, and sparkling music to accompany a libretto with a stunning storyline. On a dream island, the roles are reversed, with women in charge, leading battles and collecting romantic conquests. While this comedy was laughable three centuries ago, it resonates differently today.
2026
JAN 23, 25, 27, 29
Toulouse
La Passagère, Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse (Krystina)
A chance encounter on a cruise ship between an Auschwitz survivor and a former camp guard opens up a world of memories where oblivion and remembrance struggle. Based on an autobiographical account by Polish novelist Zofia Posmysz and inspired by Shostakovich, composer Mieczysław Weinberg wrote a major 20th-century opera imbued with powerful lyricism, oscillating between cruel irony and radical tragedy. La Passagère is being performed for the first time in France. The Innsbruck production being staged at the Capitole was named “best opera production” by the Austrian Music Theater Award 2023.
MARCH 14
Madrid
Armide (concert version) at the Teatro Real with Le Poème Harmonique (Gloire, Sidonie, Lucinde)
Musical tragedy in one prologue and five acts, with a libretto by Philippe Quinault based on Torquato Tasso’s La Jérusalem délivrée, premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris in 1686
Le Poème Harmonique tackles Lully & Quinault’s final tragedy, Armide, composed in 1686, just before Lully’s death. This musical tragedy is often considered the masterpiece of their collaboration. Indeed, they wrote no fewer than 12 operas together.
MARCH 17
Paris
Armide (concert version) at the Philharmonie de Paris (Gloire, Sidonie, Lucinde)
Musical tragedy in one prologue and five acts, with a libretto by Philippe Quinault based on Torquato Tasso’s La Jérusalem délivrée, premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris in 1686
Le Poème Harmonique tackles Lully & Quinault’s final tragedy, Armide, composed in 1686, just before Lully’s death. This musical tragedy is often considered the masterpiece of their collaboration. Indeed, they wrote no fewer than 12 operas together.
MARCH 22
Toulouse
Armide (concert version) at the Capitole in Toulouse (Gloire, Sidonie, Lucinde)
Musical tragedy in one prologue and five acts, with a libretto by Philippe Quinault based on Torquato Tasso’s La Jérusalem délivrée, premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris in 1686
Le Poème Harmonique tackles Lully & Quinault’s final tragedy, Armide, composed in 1686, just before Lully’s death. This musical tragedy is often considered the masterpiece of their collaboration. Indeed, they wrote no fewer than 12 operas together.
MARCH 27
Versailles
Armide (concert version) at the Royal Opera of Versailles (Gloire, Sidonie, Lucinde)
Musical tragedy in one prologue and five acts, with a libretto by Philippe Quinault based on Torquato Tasso’s La Jérusalem délivrée, premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris in 1686
Le Poème Harmonique tackles Lully & Quinault’s final tragedy, Armide, composed in 1686, just before Lully’s death. This musical tragedy is often considered the masterpiece of their collaboration. Indeed, they wrote no fewer than 12 operas together.
APR 2
Perpignan
Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, Les Arts Florissants, Perpignan
Victoire Bunel rejoins Les Arts Florissants for Pergolesi’s wonderful Stabat Mater. The composer’s last work, written in 1736 during the final weeks of his short life at the age of 26, this masterpiece, based on a 13th-century liturgical text, meditates on the suffering of the Virgin Mary.
APR 7-8
Namur
Castor and Pollux (concert version) with La Cappella Mediterranea (Phebe) in Namur
Castor and Pollux explores the theme of the power of sacrifice and brotherly bonds in the face of divine laws. Pollux, the immortal son of Jupiter, renounces his immortality to descend into the Underworld and bring his brother Castor back to life. Rameau explores the intertwining of brotherly love against a backdrop of heroism and echoes of war.
APR 12
Versailles
Castor et Pollux (concert version) with La Cappella Mediterranea (Phebe) at the Royal Opera of Versailles
Castor et Pollux explores the theme of the power of sacrifice and brotherly bonds in the face of divine laws. Pollux, the immortal son of Jupiter, renounces his immortality to descend into the Underworld and bring his brother Castor back to life. Rameau explores the intertwining of brotherly love against a backdrop of heroism and echoes of war.
APR 29
Roubaix
CREATION: Solaris, Othman Louati at La Condition Publique, Roubaix
The Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing, La Condition Publique de Roubaix, and the Ensemble Miroirs Étendus have commissioned the young and brilliant composer Othman Louati from Tourcoing to create a video opera inspired by Stanislas Lem’s 1961 science fiction novel Solaris. They are joining forces with Jacques Perconte, a fascinating artist who pushes the boundaries of video, cinema, and digital arts by playing with visual material and the transformation of images.
MAY 6
Nantes
Solaris Othman Louati in Nantes
The Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing, La Condition Publique de Roubaix, and the Ensemble Miroirs Étendus have commissioned the young and brilliant composer Othman Louati from Tourcoing to create a video opera inspired by Stanislas Lem’s 1961 science fiction novel Solaris. They are joining forces with Jacques Perconte, a fascinating artist who pushes the boundaries of video, cinema, and digital arts by playing with visual material and the transformation of images.
MAY 12
Montréal, Canada
Recital at Salle Bourgie (Montreal, Canada) with Gaspard Deheane
This program anchors Schubert on dry land while offering him glimpses of seas he never knew, depicted by French melodies he never heard. The traveller’s torments are recounted in his lieder, which are answered, like a consolation, by the dance of the waves in works by Fauré, Chausson, Marguerite Canal and Lili Boulanger.
MAY 21
Grenoble
Solaris, Othman Louati, MC2 Grenoble
The Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing, La Condition Publique de Roubaix, and the Ensemble Miroirs Étendus have commissioned the young and brilliant composer Othman Louati from Tourcoing to create a video opera inspired by Stanislas Lem’s 1961 science fiction novel Solaris. They are joining forces with Jacques Perconte, a fascinating artist who pushes the boundaries of video, cinema, and digital arts by playing with visual material and the transformation of images.
MAY 29
Tourcoing
Schwanengesang, Schubert, Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing
Following the success of Winterreise, presented by the Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing during the 21/22 season, Miroirs Étendus continues its exploration of Schubert’s repertoire with another of his great cycles: Schwanengesang.
MAY 31
Grenoble
Schwanengesang, Schubert, MC2 Grenoble
Following the success of their interpretation of Winterreise, Victoire Bunel, Jean-Christophe Lanièce, and pianist Romain Louveau continue their exploration of Schubert’s repertoire with this final collection, published a few months after his death in 1828. Revamping the usual recital format, the two performers take turns singing the melodies, with lyrics translated by playwright Antoine Thiollier.
JUNE-JULY
Aix-en-Provence
Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
Details to come!