Chorégies d'Orange 2021
Chorégies d'Orange 2021
The Chorégies d'Orange lift the veil on the 2021 edition with La Scala in Milan as the highlight.
Despite the health crisis, the Chorégies d'Orange unveiled the program for the 151st edition on Monday with the highlight being the arrival of La Scala in Milan. Four dates from 2020 have been postponed to 2021 such as Samson and Dalila, Cecilia Bartoli or the Ballet for life dedicated to Queen de Béjart.
The surprise of this 2021 edition is the coming of the choirs and the orchestra of La Scala in Milan for an Italian Night on July 24 . For the director of the Chorégies, Jean-Louis Grinda, " it is the big surprise of this year, it is a tremendous blow for the Chorégies, to welcome the temple of the opera. This Italian night will be dedicated to Verdi and who can interpret Verdi better than La Scala in Milan? ".
The management of the Chorégies also wanted to reach a younger audience by programming a film-concert with The Kid by Charlie Chaplin on July 27. It will be performed by the national orchestra of Avignon Provence with at its head, the conductor Debora Waldman. The great "iconoclastic" novelty of this 2021 program is the Video Games Symphony on July 31 with the Marseille Philharmonic Orchestra.
About the Chorégies d'Orange
The Chorégies d'Orange are today the oldest French festival since they date from 1869. But they have, over the years, kept all their originality: by the name they carry, from the Greek "choreos" which links them to the Greco-Latin tradition; by the place in which they take place each summer: an ancient theater perfectly preserved, of a capacity of reception of 8300 people and which has the privilege to have preserved its "Wall", guarantee of an exceptional acoustics; by the lyrical and musical vocation that they gave themselves and which allows them to be at the head of the great French festivals and to have an indisputable international reputation.
A festival began in Orange in 1860 and was held periodically, but it was only after the Roman theatre was restored in 1869 that it became the location of a popular “Roman Festival” which celebrated the glory of Rome and included a performance of Méhul’s opera, Joseph. All the major players of the French classical stage appeared in the Orange festivals, including Sarah Bernhardt who played “Phèdre” in 1903.
In 1902, the festival was given a new name, the “Chorégies,” and it was planned to take place annually. The name comes from the Greek χορηγός khorêgós "choir leader." Until 1969, the Chorégies consisted of plays, alternating with musical works, opera and symphonies. However, after that date, Orange became solely an opera festival and theatrical works were performed at Avignon.
In 1971, the “New Chorégies” began, with a format not unlike the present one where only about six performances are given during the month-long festival, typically two performances of two operas along with a recital or concert. It quickly became an international success with many major international singers appearing.
