David et Jonathas

Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, France

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7:30 PM

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Important Info

Type: Opera

City: Paris, France

Starts at: 19:30

Duration: 2h 45min

Sung in: French

Titles in: French,English

Ticket delivery: E-Tickets

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

Can I choose my seats?

Overview

Following his reconstruction of the Ballet de la nuit, Sébastien Daucé, an acknowledged authority on French music from the Grand Siècle, explores every aspect of Charpentier’s sensibility.

The biblical tragedy David et Jonathas, comprising a prologue and five acts, was composed by Charpentier as a commission for the Jesuit priests of the Collège Louis-le-Grand in Paris in 1688, the year in which Quinault and Lully passed away within a month of each other. The work was originally intended as an interlude to Saul, a Latin tragedy, also in five acts, written by one of the fathers at the Collège. Less well developed dramatically than French musical court theatre when Lully reigned supreme, with each act focusing on a single character without secondary plotting, the repertoire performed at the Collège Louis-le-Grand reveals above all the power of the Jesuit order during this period. Sébastien Daucé is now an acknowledged expert on French music from the Grand Siècle. He captivated us a few years ago with his magnificent reconstruction of the iconic Ballet de la Nuit. Now he is turning his attention to Charpentier, a near contemporary of Lully, who spurned the splendour of the court yet remained a favourite of King Louis XIV. As a champion fighting for the Philistines, David prepared for kingship as a youth on the battlefields. This exploration of sensitivity demonstrates Charpentier’s mastery of this subject matter.

History

Premiere of this production: 28 February 1688, Collège Louis-le-Grand, Paris

David et Jonathas (David and Jonathan) is an opera in five acts and a prologue by the French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, first performed at the Collège Louis-le-Grand, Paris, on 28 February 1688. The libretto, by Father François Bretonneau, is based on the Old Testament story of the friendship between David and Jonathan.

Synopsis

Prologue
Saul, King of Israel, visits the "Pythoness" (the Witch of Endor in the Bible) in disguise to learn the outcome of his forthcoming battle against the Philistines. The Pythoness raises the ghost of the prophet Samuel, who predicts that Saul will lose everything: his children, his friends, and his crown.

Act 1
David has been banished by the jealous Saul and has taken refuge with the Philistines. He returns to the Philistine camp from a victory. A chorus of warriors, shepherds, and captives he has freed sing his praises. David only wishes that, whatever may come, his best friend Jonathan (Saul's son) should be spared. The Philistine king tells David that a truce has been arranged between the Philistines and Saul to discuss whether there shall be peace or war.

Act 2
During the truce, David and Jonathan seek each other out. The Israelite general Joabel is jealous of David and challenges him to single combat, which David refuses. Joabel plots against him and decides to tell Saul that the proposed peace is merely a trick by David.

Act 3
Joabel easily persuades the jealous Saul that David is plotting his downfall. Saul accuses David of treason and he is forced to leave.

Act 4
Saul decides to fight the Philistines and destroy David. The two armies, stirred up by Joabel, are also eager for war. David reluctantly parts from Jonathan, promising he will do all he can to save him and his father.

Act 5
The battle is fought and Saul loses. Jonathan is mortally wounded and dies in David's arms. Saul falls on his own sword to evade capture. Achis tells David he is the new king of the Israelites but this is little consolation in his grief for Jonathan.

Venue Info

Théâtre des Champs-Elysées - Paris
15 Avenue Montaigne

The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is an entertainment venue situated near Avenue des Champs-Élysées, from which it takes its name. Its eponymous main hall may seat up to 1,905 people.

Commissioned by impresario Gabriel Astruc, the theatre was built from 1911 to 1913 upon the designs of brothers Auguste Perret and Gustave Perret following a scheme by Henry van de Velde, and became the first example of Art Deco architecture in the city. Less than two months after its inauguration, the Théâtre hosted the world premiere of the Ballets Russes' Rite of Spring, which provoked one of the most famous classical music riots.

At present, the theatre shows about three staged opera productions a year, mostly baroque or chamber works more suited to the modest size of its stage and orchestra pit. It also houses an important concert season. It is the home venue of the Orchestre National de France and the Orchestre Lamoureux and serves as a French base for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra as well.

The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées and Ensemble orchestral de Paris play most of their concerts here too, along with other dance, chamber music, recital, and pop events.

Important Info

Type: Opera

City: Paris, France

Starts at: 19:30

Duration: 2h 45min

Sung in: French

Titles in: French,English

Masterclasse : Jan Versweyveld le mercredi

Opera National de Paris - Paris

15 May 2019, Wed, 7 PM

Semele

Théâtre des Champs-Elysées - Paris