Lille Opera’s centenary celebrated with a diverse program

MUSIC – Inaugurated on October 7, 1923, the Lille Opera celebrates its centenary with a varied program for the 2023-2024 season. Among the planned events, a modern version of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, conducted by baroque conductor and harpsichordist Emmanuelle Haïm, will mark the beginning of the season in October. This work had already been performed during the Opera’s reopening in 2003, after five years of closure for renovation works.

On its 100th anniversary, the Lille Opera presents a rich 2023-2024 season, including a contemporary version of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and lively balls. This image was generated by an artificial intelligence for illustration purposes. © Amelie2504 / Midjourney

Culture

Published on May 30, 2023 – 08:56 GMT +02:00

Caroline Sonrier, director of the Opera, highlighted the theme of seduction as a means of domination in Mozart’s work and in current events. Belgian director Guy Cassiers will provide a political and visual interpretation of the opera, with video projections complementing the action on stage.

Concerts and balls to commemorate the Opera’s history

On October 11, a concert featuring the program from the inaugural evening of October 7, 1923, will be organized. Also in October, a German ensemble will perform German and French opera pieces in memory of the Opera’s occupation by German forces between 1916 and 1918. In December, the Opera will transform into a ballroom for several dance evenings, including one for children and another dedicated to swing.

A season combining different generations and audiences

Following a Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde in March, directed by the new director of the Avignon Festival Tiago Rodrigues and co-produced with the National Opera of Lorraine, the season will conclude in June with a light creation: Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus. Caroline Sonrier emphasized the desire to bring together generations and audiences with varied tastes for this anniversary season.

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