Mireille

Based on a poem by Frédéric Mistral, the work tells the story of an impossible love between a young girl from a good family and a simple basket maker. CHARLES GOUNOD Here is the moving and sincere grand opera Provence had been waiting for! Based on a poem by Frédéric Mistral, the work tells the story of an impossible love between a young girl from a good family and a simple basket maker. The young people’s feelings clash with the conventions of the time and the father’s unshakeable will. The Nobel Prize winner invited the Prix de Rome winner to compose his opera on his own land. Gounod settled in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and wrote it in three months. This jewel, cut with Mozart’s scissors, took time to establish itself in Paris, where audiences remained deaf to the naivety of this Mediterranean tragedy. It became a mainstay of the Salle Favart. Critics lamented that the heroine died at the end. On this point, Mistral and Gounod remained inflexible. They were right, since Mireille eventually moved the whole world. OPERA IN 3 ACTS Libretto by Michel CARRÉ, based on the poem Mirèio by Frédéric MISTRAL First performed in Paris, Théâtre Lyrique, on March 19, 1864 Last performed at the Opéra de Marseille on May 29, 2009 Co-production Opéra de Marseille / Opéra de Lausanne Musical direction Jean-Marie ZEITOUNI Directed by Bruno RAVELLA Set design Barbara de LIMBURG Costumes Gabrielle DALTON Lighting François THOURET Choreography JO MEREDITH Mireille Charlotte BONNET Taven Marion LEBÈGUE Vincenette Mathilde LEMAIRE Vincent Julien DRAN Ourrias Alexandre DUHAMEL Ramon Marc BARRARD Ambroise Gilen GOICOECHEA The Shepherd Kaëlig BOCHÉ The Ferryman Jean-Marie DELPAS Orchestra and Chorus of the Opéra de Marseille Vibrating-vest system for the Sunday, April 25 performance—by reservation