Theodora - Théodora

Commissioned by the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège, Theodora is a grand contemporary opera in three acts, performed in French. The composition was entrusted to Andrea Battistoni, then Composer in Residence at the Liège institution, based on a libretto by the Franco-Belgian writer Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt – several of whose works had already been adapted for music, but this was the first time he had written an opera libretto.

Together, they imagined a “dystopian opera”, set in “a world rebuilding itself after a catastrophe”, where “emotions are now perceived as a threat and closely controlled”. The work revolves around the title role, Théodora, ‘a former opera singer (who) lives in seclusion in a medical facility, kept away from her memories and her voice’. In order to create powerful dramatic tension, Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt's libretto introduces a group of underground resistance fighters who attempt to bring the singer back to life. She is faced with a dizzying choice: ‘to preserve her oblivion and artificial peace, or to rediscover singing, love and the pain that comes with it. Her fragile, human voice could then become an act of resistance, or a final danger to her loved ones and herself.’

On the initiative of Stefano Pace (who conceived the project and asked Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt to write the libretto), Theodora is part of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège's policy of contemporary creation and renewal of its opera repertoire. According to the institution, opera is ‘a profoundly living art’, and the Liège-based company affirms its desire ‘to support the emergence of new works that are in tune with our times, meaningful and conceived in a musical language that is both contemporary and demanding’.

Theodora is set to receive its world premiere at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège during the 2027/2028 season.