About the Show

A Sicilian noblewoman seeks revenge amid an uprising against French occupiers.

Set in 13th-century Sicily under French rule, this opera follows Hélène, a noblewoman determined to avenge her brother’s execution by the occupying forces. Her lover, Henri, faces a personal crisis upon discovering that Montfort, the French governor, is his father. As their relationship is strained by conflicting loyalties, tensions escalate between the Sicilian populace and their oppressors. The unrest culminates in a planned rebellion timed to coincide with the evening vespers, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.

Critic Reviews (5)

“Philipp Fürhofer’s lavish set is a feast to behold.”
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"Herheim goes for spectacle at the expense of drama, and while there are some magnificent sequences exploring the visual possibilities of the large-scale conflict that provides the dramatic foundations of the piece"
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"In conjunction with the sheer brilliance of Herheim’s stagecraft, and a uniformly impressive cast...the ever-reliable Royal Opera orchestra, Scappucci’s musical direction makes for a long but enthralling evening."
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"Scappucci conducts a well-paced account, allowing Verdi’s explorations of rhythm and tonality to flower, and she is attentive both to the composer’s new orchestral colours and to her singers."
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"It’s best to just embrace the gothic opulence of Herheim’s flamboyant show: phantom ballerinas in skull masks, a cherub executioner, Procida in a black ballgown, waving a French flag that he torches as bells signal the uprising."
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