Synopsis
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Julia, a priestess in the Temple of Vesta, is torn between her religious duties and her love for the Roman general Licinius. This is the crux of La Vestale, Gaspare Spontini’s opera, written at the beginning of the First Empire.
Dedicated to Josephine and multiplying political allusions to Napoleon, the work was a triumph from its first performance at the Paris Opera in 1807. Admired by Berlioz, the score features brilliant orchestration and a sustained lyrical vocal style that heralds grand opera while remaining true to the legacy of Gluck.
After remaining absent from the Paris Opera for almost 150 years, the return of this work in its original French version is an eagerly awaited event. Stage director Lydia Steier explores the themes of religious extremism and militaristic zeal: can love have any hope of surviving between these two ruthless extremes?
Duration :3h20 with 2 intervals
Language :French
Surtitle :French / English
Opening
First part60 minDetails
Intermission25 min
Second part45 minDetails
Intermission25 min
Third part45 minDetails
End
Show acts and characters
Artists
Opera in three acts (1807)
Creative team
Cast
Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus
A recording of the opera will be made by Mathilde Jobbé-Duval and produced by the Paris Opera, with the support of the Fondation Orange, sponsor of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts.
Live broadcast on 29 June on Paris Opera Play, the Paris Opera's streaming platform, available in replay between September 9, 2024 and March 6, 2025 on OperaVision.
La Vestale will be broadcast on France Musique on Saturday September 21 at 8pm in the program "Samedi à l'Opéra" presented by Judith Chaine.
Media
- Trailer
- Backstage (6)
- Videos (5)
- In pictures (46)
- Podcasts (9)
[TRAILER] LA VESTALE by Gaspare Spontini (english version)
[TRAILER] LA VESTALE by Gaspare Spontini (english version)
Draw-me La Vestale
Watch the video
Order above all else - Interview with Ève-Maud Hubeaux
Watch the video
Voices from the Troupe: Florent Mbia
Watch the video
Spontini's La Vestale, a great Napoleonic opera
Watch the video
Podcast La Vestale with France Musique
Listen the podcast
La Vestale: a prophetic opera - Interview with Lydia Steier
Listen the podcast
[EXTRAIT] LA VESTALE de Gaspare Spontini - (Chœur, Chant d'allégresse)
[EXTRAIT] LA VESTALE de Gaspare Spontini (Elza van den Heever - "Toi que j'implore avec effroi")
[EXTRAIT] LA VESTALE de Gaspare Spontini - Ève-Maud Hubeaux, Elza van den Heever - "Hymne du matin"
[EXTRAIT] LA VESTALE de Gaspare Spontini (Elza van den Heever - "Ô des infortunés déesse tutélaire")
[TEASER] LA VESTALE by Gaspare Spontini
La Vestale (saison 23/24) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24)© Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (season 24/25)© Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (saison 24/25) © Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (season 23/24)© Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (season 23/24)© Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (season 23/24)© Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale (season 23/24)© Guergana Damianova / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale en répétitions (saison 23/24) © Elena Bauer / OnP
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Acte 1 - Je vais donc te revoir
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Ouverture
La Vestale (saison 23/24) -Acte 1 - Hymne du matin
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Acte 2 - Toi que j'implore avec effroi
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Acte 3 - Marche funéraire
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Acte1 - Chant d'allégresse
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Acte 2 - Quel trouble
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Acte 2 - Cette heure auguste
La Vestale (saison 23/24) - Acte 3 - Non non je vis encore
Press
Lydia Steier's proposal proves to be highly coherent, following the epic flow of the story and the musical continuity inherent to the work.
Resmusica, 2024A splendid Michael Spyres, radiant timbre, assured line and generous projection.
Télérama, 2024Lydia Steier's production is fascinating.
Anaclase, 2024The show deserves to be seen, for its rarity as much as for its overall quality and the originality of its point of view, which remains respectful of the work.
Resmusica, 2024The vitality of the Paris Opera Chorus, adeptly led by the superb Ching-Lien Wu, is more than convincing.
Anaclase, 2024Ève-Maud Hubeaux showcases her vast expressive range in the role of the Great Vestal.
Anaclase, 2024
Access and services
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
UndergroundBastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Following Richard Strauss’s Salome in 2022, La Vestale is Lydia Steier’s second production at the Paris Opera, once again exploring the themes of male power and sexuality. The theocratic and military orders at play in Spontini’s work highlight structures based on relationships of domination and subjugation. This raises the question of an alternative, possibly embodied in love, that might triumph over these oppressive models.
BUY THE PROGRAM
-
Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation ofdrinks and light refreshmentsfor the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
-
Parking
You can park your car at the Q-Park Opéra Bastille. It is located at 34 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information:+33 1 40 01 17 82
Online
- boutique.operadeparis.fr
- Access
- Program sale
- Services
- Last minute tickets
- Gift shops
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
UndergroundBastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Following Richard Strauss’s Salome in 2022, La Vestale is Lydia Steier’s second production at the Paris Opera, once again exploring the themes of male power and sexuality. The theocratic and military orders at play in Spontini’s work highlight structures based on relationships of domination and subjugation. This raises the question of an alternative, possibly embodied in love, that might triumph over these oppressive models.
BUY THE PROGRAM
-
Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation ofdrinks and light refreshmentsfor the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
-
Parking
You can park your car at the Q-Park Opéra Bastille. It is located at 34 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information:+33 1 40 01 17 82
Online
- boutique.operadeparis.fr
Discover opera and ballet in another way
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3 min
La Vestale
Spontini’s La Vestale, the true/false story
A story of commitment, faith and burning love… Can you untangle this true/false synopsis of Spontini’s opera La Vestale? Ready? Go!
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