A Dazzling, Chaotic Revival of Le Voyage dans la Lune Takes the Stage
A lavish production of Le Voyage dans la Lune—an opera buffa from 1825—has opened with dazzling spectacle. Composed for the coronation of King Charles X, the performance unfolds at the fictional Golden Lily hotel, where high-society guests become entangled in absurd and extravagant antics. Under Gianluca Capuano’s direction, the period-instrument ensemble Les Musiciens du Prince-Monaco brings the score to life with energy and precision.
The opera’s elaborate staging transforms the hotel into a playground of theatrical excess. Rufus Didwiszus designed a sprawling set featuring a grand foyer, a winding hallway, and an opulent dining area. The action spills across these spaces as characters fire pistols and even set a harp ablaze—moments that shock and delight in equal measure.
Onstage, the 14-strong cast delivers not just vocal prowess but physical agility. During arias, performers execute acrobatic feats with startling accuracy, blending comedy with technical skill. Cecilia Bartoli, as the fiery Corinna, unleashes a torrent of coloratura pyrotechnics, her crystalline voice soaring above the chaos. Alongside her, Marina Viotti commands attention as the Countess Melibea, while Mélissa Petit charms as the Countess di Folleville. The visual extravagance extends to Victoria Behr’s costumes, a riot of flamboyant colours and whimsical shapes. Each outfit amplifies the opera’s surreal humour, from towering wigs to exaggerated silhouettes. The production’s demands are relentless, requiring singers to balance vocal stamina with non-stop physical comedy.
This revival of Le Voyage dans la Lune merges musical brilliance with over-the-top spectacle. The combination of Capuano’s lively conducting, the cast’s athletic performances, and the striking designs creates an unforgettable experience. Audiences leave with the opera’s madcap energy—and the echo of gunshots and shattering harp strings—lingering long after the final curtain.
