Biennale Massenet

Jules Massenet's Thaïs — New Production 2024

For the 2024-2025 season, the Opéra de Saint-Étienne has chosen to open with an opera by its native composer: Thaïs, first performed on March 16, 1894, at the Opéra de Paris with a libretto by Louis Gallet based on the novel by Anatole France. Saint-Étienne had not staged this work since 2009.

A Staging Transposed to the Belle Époque

Pierre-Emmanuel Rousseau, for his first creation in Saint-Étienne, transposed the action from 4th-century Egypt to the world of Belle Époque cabarets. Also responsible for the sets and costumes, created by the workshops of the Opéra de Saint-Étienne, he offered a renewed interpretation of the confrontation between the monk Athanaël and the courtesan Thaïs.

Cast

• Thaïs: Ruth Iniesta (soprano)
• Athanaël: Jérôme Boutillier (baritone)
• Nicias: Léo Vermot-Desroches (tenor), winner of the Victoires de la Musique classique 2024
• Palémon: Guilhem Worms (bass)
• Crobyle: Marion Grange (soprano)
• Myrtale: Éléonore Gagey (mezzo-soprano)
• Albine: Louise Pingeot (mezzo-soprano)
• La Charmeuse: Marie Gautrot (mezzo-soprano)
• Dancer: Carlo D'Abramo

Musical Direction and Choreography

Victorien Vanoosten conducted the Orchestre Symphonique Saint-Étienne Loire and the Chœur Lyrique Saint-Étienne Loire. The choreography by Carmine De Amicis incorporated the ballets from the original 1894 version, including the ballet of the seven spirits of temptation, rarely performed. The lighting was by Gilles Gentner.

Program — Massenet's Thaïs

• Friday, November 15, 2024, at 8:00 PM: Thaïs — Premiere
• Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 3:00 PM: Thaïs — Second performance
• Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 8:00 PM: Thaïs — Final performance

Opera in three acts and seven scenes by Jules Massenet (1894 version with ballets). Libretto by Louis Gallet based on Anatole France. New production by the Opéra de Saint-Étienne.

Highlights of the 2024 Edition

• New Production of Thaïs — First performance in Saint-Étienne since 2009
• Pierre-Emmanuel Rousseau directs staging, sets, and costumes for his first Saint-Étienne creation
• Ruth Iniesta and Jérôme Boutillier in the title roles
• Léo Vermot-Desroches as Nicias, winner of the Victoires de la Musique classique 2024
• Rarely performed ballets from the original 1894 version, featuring Carlo D'Abramo
• Sets and costumes created by the workshops of the Opéra de Saint-Étienne