Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse - Royal Opera of Versailles

Location

Royal Opera of Versailles
4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles
Capacity 750 seats

Duration

1 h 50 min

No intermission

Details

Opera

For all audiences

In French with French and English surtitles

Highlights: Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse

You're probably familiar with Miguel de Cervantes' literary Don Quixote, Jules Massenet's operatic Don Quixote and Marius Petipa's ballet, but have you heard of Don Quixote chez la duchesse, Joseph Bodin de Boismortiers' comic opera-ballet in three acts based on a libretto by Charles-Simon Favart, after Cervantes, first performed at the Académie Royale de Musique in Paris in 1743?
No ?
The Opéra Royal de Versailles gives you the chance to remedy this shortcoming with the Concert Spirituel choir and orchestra conducted by Hervé Niquet. Nothing less than Corinne and Gilles Benizio (alias Shirley and Dino) are in charge of the staging.
The role of Don Quixote falls to Mathias Vidal. His faithful valet Sancho Pança will be played by Marc Labonnette and Chantal Santon Jeffery will be Altisidore, Queen of Japan.

The evening promises to be exceptional… Enough to keep this little-known and little-performed opera by Boismortier in your memory for a long time to come as well as enlighten your knowledge of French opera.

See details for our premium option below!

Story: Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse

In 1743, two years before Rameau premiered Platée, Boismortier presented an incredibly innovative and eccentric ballet-comique to the Académie Royale de Musique: Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse. At the heart of a completely mad plot, the hero meets monsters, magicians, princesses, and even the Japanese… All these characters provide the pretext for dances and choruses that are as offbeat as they are daring. Musical beauty is no barrier to irreverent, parodic humour.

Although Boismortier is less well known today, he was a prolific composer during the reign of Louis XV, creating works in all the genres in vogue at the time. His first great success was Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse, a comic ballet he devised with the help of Favart, a brilliant librettist, who transformed the story of Don Quichotte into a brilliant and colourful farce.

Boismortier's comedy sparkles with every line of this score. The Duchess plays on poor Don Quixote's credulity, and you're sure to laugh heartily at this madcap scenario. A lively opera to share with friends!

Premium Option & Experience

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience unforgettable, choose our premium option at the time of booking:

Champagne + Programme + Show

This offer includes a glass of champagne and a printed programme, as well as exclusive access to the best seating category.

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Royal Opera of Versailles

4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles

The Royal Opera of Versailles

Categorized as one of the largest performance halls in Europe during its inauguration in 1770 requested by Louis XV, it is presently still admired as one of the grand luxurious stages in Paris due to its lavishing décor composed of early-century design. The ceiling above the room comprises an exquisite form of art, something similar to what you would see in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Opéra Royal was no ordinary room, it was prestigious among wealthy individuals who fancied theater. Hosting 1,500 people, only a specific number of guests were invited to view the best shows in Paris at the esteemed Versailles palace. Later the room was also used as a ballroom and a banquet hall.

After the revolution the Opéra Royal room was left whole but stripped of its 18th-century embellishment. Altering its original appearance, the room is renovated for official shows such as the opening of the Versailles museum in 1837. Renovated and inaugurated once again in 1957 after the Second World War by orders of architect André Japy, the room undertook a whole new look. In 2009 Opéra Royal opened its doors to spectators from all over the world and began to display an array of enlightened shows such as contemporary dance, ballet recitals, opera, and classical music concerts. Presently it offers more than 100 performances per season in its golden room occupied with ostentatious chandeliers, surrounded by red velvet seating.

Fast facts
Capacity: 750
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

FAQ

How do I get to the Royal Opera of Versailles?

Royal Opera of Versailles is accessible by:
RER lines: The Royal Opera of Versailles can be reached by taking the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station which is the closest station to the castle. From this station the castle is a 10-minute walk.
Transilien lines: The Royal Opera of Versailles is accessible by Transilien lines N and U from Versailles Chantiers station and by line L from Versailles Rive Droite station. From this station the castle is a 25-minute walk.
Bus lines: The Royal Opera of Versailles is accessible by bus line 171 from the metro station, Pont de Sèvres (metro line 9).
The Royal Opera of Versailles is located within the Versailles Castle. To get there, follow the signs for Entrance B at the top right of the Cour d'Honneur.
We invite you to consult the map above for directions. In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to the Royal Opera of Versailles?

We recommend that you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse. Show your ticket at reception and the staff will take care of you.

Can I take photos during the Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse?

In order not to disturb the artists and for the comfort of other spectators, it is forbidden to take pictures during Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse. However, you can take photos of the Royal Opera of Versailles before and after the performance, as a souvenir of your gorgeous Parisian evening!

How long does Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse last?

Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse lasts approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, with no intermission.

Is Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Royal Opera of Versailles has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for years. Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse is sung in its French original version with surtitles in both French and English provided for audiences to appreciate in one of France’s most iconic venues.

Is there a specific dress code at the Royal Opera of Versailles?

There is no specific dress code at the Royal Opera House of Versailles, however, proper clothing is required.

Is tipping customary at the Royal Opera of Versailles?

Each spectator is greeted in the hall by an usher who will lead them to the seat. According to custom at the Royal Opera House of Versailles, ushers may request a tip which you may grant if you wish. It is by no means mandatory.

I bought premium tickets for Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! Your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Royal Opera of Versailles can assign your seat. You may see a pre-payment on your card, but rest assured that we will not charge your card until your reservation has been validated by the Royal Opera of Versailles. Once the reservation is validated, you will receive your ticket by e-mail.
Due to the large number of requests that the Royal Opera of Versailles has to manage, this process usually takes two days, but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.

Is there a coat check available at the Versailles Castle?

In application of the Vigipirate plan, suitcases and large bags are prohibited on the Versailles estate (various gates in the Château, park, and gardens).

A number of automatic lockers are available at information points, where you can leave your personal belongings and luggage smaller than cabin size (46x43x26 cm maximum).