Robinson Crusoé - Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (2025) - Robinson Crusoé - Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (2025), Laurent Pelly

Description

Although Robinson Crusoe was a failure with audiences when it premiered in 1867, Offenbach's opera is nevertheless full of musical gems ‘that make up the charm of his music, whether they are playful in nature or bathed in tender melancholy’.

The conductor Marc Minkowski and director Laurent Pelly have seized on this to concoct a new production at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, having already adapted several of Offenbach's works together, including Orphée aux enfers, La Belle Hélène, Les Contes d'Hoffmann and La Périchole. This is Laurent Pelly's first time directing Robinson Crusoe. At the helm of Les Musiciens du Louvre (who play period instruments), Marc Minkowski is thoroughly familiar with Offenbach's repertoire.

On stage, the cast brings together exciting (young) performers: Sahy Ratia in the title role (replacing the American tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who was originally announced) and soprano Julie Fuchs as Edwige, who has already collaborated with Laurent Pelly. The young mezzo Adèle Charvet will play Vendredi. Alongside them, Laurent Naouri sings Sir William Crusoé, Marc Mauillon is Toby and Rodolphe Briand is Jim-Cocks. All are regulars on the stage of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées and are familiar with Offenbach's work.