Gasparini's The Miser - Royal Opera of Versailles

Location

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

Duration

1 h 20 min

No intermission

Details

Opera

For all audiences

In Italian with French and English surtitles

Highlights: Gasparini’s The Miser at Royal Opera of Versailles

The Miser, a comic opera by Francesco Gasparini created in Venice in 1707, is inspired by Molière’s famous play. The story follows Fiammetta and Pancrazio, young lovers prevented from marrying by Pancrazio’s obsessive greed. Through misunderstandings, intrigue, and comic situations, the opera humorously explores universal themes such as avarice, thwarted love, and family and social power dynamics.

Gasparini, a leading figure of Venetian Baroque, is known for his expressive melodic lines, refined harmonies, and ability to combine instrumental virtuosity with dramatic clarity. His works, less frequently performed today, reveal remarkable musical inventiveness and comic sensibility.

The 2025–2026 Versailles production, directed by Théophile Gasselin, offers an interpretation that is both faithful and inventive. Singers, notably Eva Zaïcik (Fiammetta) and Victor Sicard (Pancrazio), bring the characters to life with intensity and humor. The orchestra Le Poème Harmonique, under the direction of Vincent Dumestre, conveys the richness and finesse of Italian Baroque music, while Alain Blanchot’s costumes immerse the audience in the Venetian atmosphere of the 18th century.

This opera captivates through its combination of humor, vocal virtuosity, and inventive staging. Rarely performed in France, The Miser allows audiences to discover an overlooked Baroque masterpiece where music, theater, and comedy converge, offering a lively, accessible, and engaging experience.

Cast and Crew
- Music: Francesco Gasparini
- Musical direction: Vincent Dumestre
- Orchestra: Le Poème Harmonique
- Stage direction: Théophile Gasselin
- Costumes: Alain Blanchot
- Actors/Singers: Eva Zaïcik (Fiammetta), Victor Sicard (Pancrazio), Serge Goubioud (Nutrice), Stefano Amori (Valletto)

See details for our premium option below!

Next dates

Premium Option and Experience

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, choose between one of the following upgraded offers at the time of booking:

Prestige Tickets: Show + Glass of Champagne + Programme
This ticket category includes a glass of champagne, a specially prepared programme of the show, as well as exclusive access to the two best categories in the house.

Story: Gasparini’s The Miser at the Royal Opera of Versailles

The Miser by Francesco Gasparini, created in Venice in 1707, is a Baroque comedy inspired by Molière’s play. The story revolves around Pancrazio, obsessed with money, who prevents Fiammetta and her beloved from marrying. Amid misunderstandings, intrigues, and comic situations, the characters navigate greed, rivalry, and thwarted love. Gasparini combines vocal virtuosity with dramatic expressiveness, offering rich melodic lines and the subtle humor characteristic of Venetian Baroque.

The 2025–2026 Versailles production, directed by Théophile Gasselin, highlights the comic energy and humanity of the characters. With the orchestra Le Poème Harmonique under Vincent Dumestre and singers such as Eva Zaïcik and Victor Sicard, the performance blends musical finesse, inventive staging, and immersive costumes, creating a lively, accessible, and captivating Baroque opera experience for contemporary audiences.

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Royal Opera of Versailles

4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles

History and Fun Facts about 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)

plan d'acces, access map, opera royal de versailles

FAQ

How do I get to the Royal Opera of Versailles?

The Royal Opera of Versailles is accessible by:
RER: Line C (station Versailles Château Rive Gauche), from this station, the castle is a 10-minute walk.
Transilien: Line N (station Versailles Chantiers), line U (station Versailles Chantiers), line L (station Versailles Rive Droite), from this station, the castle is a 25-minute walk.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles
You can find a map to guide you to the Royal Opera’s ticket office in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.
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?

The Royal Opera of Versailles is located within the Château de Versailles. To get there, follow the signs for Entrance B at the top right of the Cour d'Honneur.
We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of The Miser, and present your ticket at the front desk. The Royal Opera of Versailles’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

How long does the opera, The Miser, last?

The opera The Miser at the Royal Opera of Versailles lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission.

Is The Miser for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Royal Opera of Versailles has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for many years. The opera, The Miser, is sung in its original English version. Surtitles are provided in both French and English so that international audiences can appreciate this opera in this incredible Parisian venue.

Where will I be seated, and will I see the surtitles* properly?

At the Royal Opera of Versailles, the surtitles are projected on both on the sides of the stage and directly above the stage.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. Funfact: In French “sur” means “above”.

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

There is no specific dress code at the Royal Opera of Versailles, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.

For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress.

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

I bought tickets for The Miser 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 confirmed, you will receive your ticket by email.
Due to the large number of requests that the Royal Opera of Versailles has to manage, this process usually takes two business 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.