At 8pm, at the Grand Théâtre de Provence :

JAKUB JÓZEF ORLIŃSKI CONCERT

Jakub Józef Orliński: Countertenor

Michał Biel: Pianist

Jakub Józef Orliński is a phenomenon in the world of opera. The Polish countertenor dazzles with his expressive voice and flamboyant personality. Who could forget his performance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, singing Baroque music while executing breakdance moves? Yet, Orliński is at his most moving in the intimate setting of a recital. With his trusted collaborator, pianist Michał Biel, he offers a program that transcends centuries and artistic styles. Back in 2017, Orliński became a sensation when a video of his concert at the Aix Festival went viral, garnering millions of views. Now, he returns as a hero to the city that first crowned him a star.

At 7pm, at Conservatoire Darius Milhaud :

ERMONELA JAHO CONCERT

Ermonela Jaho: Soprano

Pantilesena Jaho: Pianist

Last year, she moved audiences to tears at the Aix Festival with her heartrending portrayal of Madama Butterfly. Superlatives abounded to describe her fiery embodiment of Puccini’s young heroine: the graceful phrasing, infinite nuances, commanding diction, and the subtle depth of her character portrayal—everything was there.

For her grand return to Provence, the Albanian soprano performs in intimate harmony alongside her niece, pianist Pantilesena Jaho. This is a rare opportunity to witness a musical phenomenon in a recital brimming with delicacy and sensitivity.

At 9:30pm, at the Théâtre de l’Archevêché :

LOUISE, by G. Charpentier

New production

A co-production with the National Opera of Lyon

Maîtrise des Bouches-du-Rhône

Lyon Opera Chorus and Orchestra

Giacomo Sagripanti: Musical Direction

Christof Loy: Staging

Elsa Dreisig: Louise

Adam Smith:  Julien / The Night Owl

Sophie Koch: The Mother / The First of the workshop

Nicolas Courjal: The Father /The Ragman

Grégoire Mour: The Clothes Merchant /The Pope of Fools

Roberta Alexander: The Sweeper

Marianne Croux: Irma

Carol Garcia: Gertrude

Karolina Bengtsson: Camille

Marie-Thérèse Keller: Madeleine

Julie Pasturaud: Marguerite/The Milkmaid

Marion Vergez-Pascal: Élise/The Little Ragpicker

Marion Lebègue: Suzanne/The coal gleaner

Jennifer Courcier: Blanche/The Newspaper folder

Céleste Pinel: The Apprentice / The Gavroche

Frédéric Caton: The Handyman

This may well be the highlight of the 2025 edition. First performed at the Opéra-Comique in 1900, Louise is, along with Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, one of the great French operas of the early 20th century. The work innovated with its everyday plot and its popular heroes, making Louise one of the operatic equivalents of Zola’s novels. Louise is a young girl of modest origins who wants to experience free love in picturesque Montmartre. The opera has gone down in history thanks to the aria ‘Depuis le jour où je me suis donné’ (‘Since the day I gave myself away’), but Gustave Charpentier’s music is also surprising for its astonishing orchestra, which combines the sensitivity of a Massenet with Wagnerian leitmotifs. In today’s context, Christof Loy‘s staging promises a seductive reinterpretation, especially as the heroine is played by the marvellous Elsa Dreisig, a great interpreter of the repertoire of the period. The secondary roles feature admirable French singers such as Sophie Koch, Nicolas Courjal and Marianne Croux.