Comédie héroïque in five acts (1910)
New Production! Massenet’s charming, resonant final opera returns to the Paris stage for the first time in over two decades, with Christian Van Horn in the title role.
The composer retained only a few of the main emblematic episodes of Cervantes’ lavish novel: the legendary knight-errant's love for the beautiful Dulcinée (rising star Gaëlle Arquez), his chivalrous spirit that leads him to pursue brigands to recover her necklace, his famous battle with the windmills and his death as he lies beside his servant Sancho (Étienne Dupuis).
Inspired by this atmospheric and moving music, acclaimed director Damiano Michieletto’s new production seeks to reveal not just the poetry of the protagonist, but also his suffering: that of a deeply lonely man, haunted by his memories. Patrick Fournillier, the current Music Director of the Polish National Opera, conducts.
Please note programme change: the previously billed Ildar Abdrazakov and Marianne Crebassa are no longer playing in this production. [updated 22 Mar 24]. Patrick Fournillier replaces the previously billed Mikhail Tatarnikov. [updated 23 Apr 24]