Benvenuto Cellini marking one hundred years of the Théâtre des Champs Élysées

Hector Berlioz’ first opera Benvenuto Cellini will be performed under the baton of Valery Gergiev during the Mariinsky Theatre’s tour to France marking one hundred years of the Théâtre des Champs Élysées. The lead roles will be performed by lead Mariinsky Theatre soloists Sergei Semishkur (Benvenuto Cellini), Ekaterina Semenchuk (Ascanio), Anastasia Kalagina (Teresa), Yuri Vorobiev (Balducci), Mikhail Petrenko (Pope Clement VII) and Andrei Popov (Fieramosca). The opera will be performed in concert featuring the Mariinsky Chorus and Orchestra.

The invitation for the Russian theatre to appear at the centenary anniversary of the Théâtre des Champs Élysées is a symbolic and honoured occasion, as it was thanks to Russian performers that this French theatre gained its prominent position one hundred years ago when it opened. It is also symbolic that maestro Valery Gergiev will be conducting the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Companies in performances of works performed at the new theatre in spring 1913 – Le Sacre du printemps and Benvenuto Cellini. Although the premiere of Benvenuto Cellini took place in 1838, one century ago Berlioz’ opera was regarded by Paris audiences as a new work as it had never been performed in France since the premiere because of the complex nature of the music. The opening of the Théâtre des Champs Élysées saw six performances of Benvenuto Cellini with the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova performing a separate dance piece as part of the programme. Thanks to the Mariinsky Theatre French audiences will once again have the opportunity to hear this rarely performed opera by Berlioz.