In 1840, riding the wave of exceptional success, Donizetti presented his first French-language opera, La Fille du régiment. (The Daughter of the Regiment) in Paris. King Louis-Philippe had just reopened Versailles, deciding to create a museum dedicated to “all the glories of France”. It paid greater tribute to Napoleon than it did even to Louis XIV, in a France fervently awaiting the return of the Emperor’s ashes. Suffice it to say that patriotism was at a peak, and The Daughter of the Regiment was perfectly in keeping with the mood. Donizetti joyfully gives his all to this unlikely love story between the camp follower Marie, who has become the regiment’s adopted daughter, and the intrepid Tonio, who has saved the young woman and joined Napoleon’s army. There are patriotic arias and choruses, an onslaught of bel canto and Tonio’s famous aria, the “Everest of Lyric Art” with no less than nine high Cs !

The thousandth performance took place in Paris in 1914. During the December 1940 performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Lily Pons, after an astonishing “Salut à la France”, launched into La Marseillaise, which became a symbol of freedom in the midst of war. The virtuoso soloists Gwendoline Blondeel and Patrick Kabongo, accompanied by the French Army Choir, will transport the audience at the Opéra Royal to the beating heart of the motherland.

Royal Opera / Château de Versailles Spectacles Production.

This program will be recorded on a CD and DVD to be released on the Château de Versailles Spectacles label.
The shows on April 10th and 12th are recorded by Wahoo Productions.

The Centre de musique baroque de Versailles makes available its collection of stage sets created by Antoine Fontaine.
The costumes were designed and made by Atelier Caraco – Paris.
The sets were created by Atelier Devineau.
The wigs and accessories were crafted by the Royal Opera / Château de Versailles Spectacles.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, ADOR is providing outstanding support to the Royal Opera by fully covering the cost of the costumes for this new production.

Opéra-comique in two acts, with libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard, first performed in Paris in 1840.

New Royal Opera Production.

Show in French with French and English surtitles.

PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY: Best seats in house, you will receive a complimentary glass of champagne and programme.

PRESTIGE CATEGORY: Excellent seats, you will receive a complimentary glass of champagne and programme.

REDUCED RATE: applicable to under 26s, Chateau de Versailles Spectacles card holders and groups of more than 10 people (excluding special company offer).

GROUP RATES: for more information, please refer to our page dedicated to works councils and groups.

In case of any technical problem, the box office service remains available to complete your order by phone at +33 (0)1 30 83 78 89 (Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm) or in our box office-shop (3 bis rue des Réservoirs, 78000 Versailles ; Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm, and on Saturdays with concerts or shows except during the Musical Fountains Shows, from 2pm to 5pm).

To ensure the best welcome possible, people with limited mobility are advised to book their seats by telephone.