Porpora's Polifemo at the Royal Opera of Versailles

With Franco Fagioli (countertenor) and Christian Lacroix (costumes)
Die Entführung aus dem Serail à l'Opéra Royal de Versailles tickets
Royal Opera of Versailles

Until December 8, 2024

Other languages with surtitles

Location

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

Duration

3 hours

With intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In Italian with French and English surtitles


HIGHLIGHTS: PORPORA’S POLIFEMO AT ROYAL OPERA OF VERSAILLES

The Royal Opera of Versailles invites you to discover a little-known gem of the Baroque repertoire: Polifemo by the Italian composer Nicola Porpora (1686-1768).
From December 4th to December 8th, 2024, let yourself be transported into the spellbinding world of this flamboyant opera, brought to life by an exceptional vocal cast and sumptuous staging.

 

Franco Fagioli, a virtuoso countertenor, in the role of Acis, will be the shepherd in love with the beautiful Galatea. Julia Lezhneva, a luminous soprano, plays the nymph Galatea, the object of desire for Acis and the Cyclops Polifemo. Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian and José Coca Loza complete this breathtaking cast.

 

Conducted by Stefan Plewniak, the Royal Opera Orchestra will bring Porpora's score to life with passion and passion. Justin Way's staging, together with Christian Lacroix's designs, will plunge you into a world of shimmering colours and sumptuous costumes.

 

Polifemo is a work rich in emotion, combining passionate love, Cyclopean fury and the intervention of the Gods. Porpora's opera is a veritable ode to the beauty and power of Baroque music.

 

Don't miss this unique opportunity to discover a forgotten masterpiece that is rarely performed on stage.
The Royal Opera of Versailles is the perfect setting for this superb score.

 

 

See details for our premium options below!

PREMIUM OPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

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.

 

  • Prestige VIP 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 best seats in the house.

STORY: PORPORA’S POLIFEMO AT ROYAL OPERA OF VERSAILLES

Polifemo, an opera by Nicola Porpora, one of the most famous composers of his time, is inspired by two intertwined Greek myths: the passionate love between Acis and Galatea, a sea nymph, and Odysseus' revenge against the Cyclops Polifemo, who devoured his companions.

 

The work explores the themes of love, jealousy, rage and revenge, all sublimated by Porpora's flamboyant and voluptuous Baroque music. The arias of Galatea and Acis, imbued with tenderness and passion, contrast with the fury of Polifemo, the embodiment of brute force and destruction.

 

Polifemo is a rare and compelling opera, offering a plunge into the world of Greek mythology and Baroque music. Lucky for you, the Royal Opera of Versailles welcomes you to discover this beautiful opera in one of the most prestigious venues for opera and classical music… Let yourself be carried away!

Reviews

There are not yet any reviews for this show, be the very first to share a review by completing the following:


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)

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 Paris
You can find a map to guide you to the 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 Polifemo, and present your voucher 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, Polifemo, last?

The opera Polifemo at the Royal Opera of Versailles lasts 3 hours, with intermission.

Is Polifemo 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, Polifemo, is sung in its original Italian 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 Opéra Royal de 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 Polifemo 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.