Mireille - Opera

Description

For his poem-novel Mirèio, where he infuses all his talents as a poet and his passion for his native Provence, Frédéric Mistral received the Nobel Prize in Literature (1904). Under his Franco-Provençal pen, the impossible love between Mireille, daughter of wealthy peasants, and Vincent, son of a poor basket maker, transforms into a Shakespearean drama under the Southern sun. Captivated, Charles Gounod visits the locations and composes on-site; the Mediterranean nature inspires him to create a sunny and moving adaptation. His opera Mireille, premiered at the Théâtre-Lyrique in Paris in 1864, sparkles with a luminous orchestration, evocative of shimmering landscapes, filled with warmth and passion. While this surprising lyrical romance is placed under the sacred protection of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, it is also spiced with dark romanticism in the scene of the Val d’Enfer: specters emerge from the Rhône and plunge the jealous Ourrias into it. But what makes the opera charming is above all its endearing heroine, in the vein of the Marguerites and Juliets we owe to Gounod, the beauty of the arias imbued with the truth of feelings that the composer cherishes so much, and the delightful Occitan local color that he has so well translated into music. For his third season opening (Guillaume Tell, Don Quichotte), Bruno Ravella will present his poignant vision of this work inspired by Provençal heritage. The Lausanne Chamber Orchestra will be conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni, a great specialist in 19th-century French music, who was appreciated during Carmen in May 2025.

Highlights

• Premiered at Théâtre-Lyrique in Paris in 1864
• Conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni
• A poignant vision inspired by Provençal heritage

General Information

Mireille is an opera by Charles Gounod, based on Frédéric Mistral's poem-novel. Set in the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence, it tells the story of an impossible love between Mireille and Vincent, blending lyrical romance with dark romanticism.

Location

Avenue du Théâtre 12, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland

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