La Vestale
Priestess Julia watches over the eternal flame of the goddess Vesta. While the Great Vestal condemns to death every virgin who breaks her vow of chastity, Julia is delighted to be reunited with Licinius, who has returned from war as a victorious Roman general. One night, as the two lovers swear their love before the temple altar, the eternal flame goes out…
Opéra national de Paris makes its OperaVision debut with Gaspare Spontini's La Vestale, a rarely performed opera that was triumphantly received when it premiered on this very stage in 1807. Stage director Lydia Steier explores the themes of religious extremism and militaristic zeal: can love have any hope of surviving between these two ruthless extremes? Conductor Bertrand de Billy leads the Orchestra of the Paris Opera and a first-rate cast, including Elza van den Heever as Julia, Michael Spyres as her beloved Licinius, and Eve-Maud Hubeaux as the Grande Vestale.
Cast
Julia | Elza van den Heever |
|---|---|
Licinius | Michael Spyres |
The Great Vestal | Ève‑Maud Hubeaux |
Cinna | Julien Behr |
The High Priest | Jean Teitgen |
The Chief of the Aruspices, a consul | Florent Mbia |
Chorus | Opéra national de Paris Chorus |
Orchestra | Opéra national de Paris Orchestra |
| ... | |
Music | Gaspare Spontini |
|---|---|
Text | Étienne de Jouy |
Conductor | Bertrand de Billy |
Director | Lydia Steier |
Sets | Etienne Pluss |
Costumes | Katharina Schlipf |
Lights | Valerio Tiberi |
Video | Etienne Guiol |
Dramaturgy | Olaf A. Schmitt |
Chorus Master | Ching-Lien Wu |
| ... | |
Story
Act 1
Licinius has returned home from the war as a victorious Roman general. He encounters Cinna who wants to know why he is so sad. Licinius confesses that he is in love with Julia and that five years previously he was unable to prove to her father that he was worthy of her. It was to improve his standing that he joined the army. After his return he learned that Julia was forced to promise her father on his deathbed that she would become a Vestal Virgin and to preserve her chastity. Cinna agrees to help Licinius and the two men reaffirm their friendship.
The Vestal Virgins sing to their goddess and the eternal flame that they guard in the temple. The Great Vestal condemns to death every virgin who breaks her vow of chastity. To celebrate Rome’s victory in the war she announces a triumphal procession. Julia is given the task of crowning Licinius with the “wreath of immortality”. Left alone, Julia is torn between her joy at seeing Licinius again and her fear of the consequences of her forbidden love.
During the festivities, the Great Vestal chooses Julia to guard the eternal flame in the coming night. Licinius hears about this and tells Julia of his plan to abduct her from the temple. A consul, the High Priest and the entire population celebrate the triumphant warrior.
Act 2
At night in the temple, Julia begs Vesta for mercy. She wishes to see Licinius one more time and then surrender herself to the gods’ vengeance. In front of the altar, Licinius and Julia swear their love in a fever of passion. The eternal flame goes out. Cinna enters the temple and tries to persuade Licinius to flee. But Licinius refuses to comply with either Cinna’s or Julia’s urgings to leave.
When voices are heard from outside, Licinius and Cinna depart. The people and the other Vestal Virgins swarm into the temple and condemn the crime that has been committed. The High Priest demands from Julia the name of the intruder, but she refuses to reveal it. He curses her and sentences her to death.
Act 3
Cinna tells Licinius that he has put together a troop of legionnaires to assist him. Licinius tries unsuccessfully to persuade the High Priest to overturn the death sentence and confesses that he is Julia’s lover. The Chief of the Aruspices points out the gathering soldiers to the High Priest and recommends delaying the sacrifice. However, the High Priest rejects this idea. Before the death sentence is carried out, he has Julia’s veil placed on Vesta’s altar. If the veil catches fire it will mean that Vesta forgives her priestess. Licinius publicly admits that he is the guilty party and demands that Julia’s life be spared. But Julia pretends not to know him. Suddenly a storm breaks out, and a lightning bolt sets fire to Julia’s veil. The High Priest proclaims a miracle and Vesta’s forgiveness.
Video
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