Le Villi

A story about love and betrayal, revenge and remorse, and the ghostly singing of lost souls in front of atmospherically eerie natural scenery is brought to life by the opera enthusiast, Burgtheater actor and TV star (Neben der Spur, Vorstadtweiber) Juergen Maurer. If you think the lifespan of sopranos in opera is all too limited and long for retribution, Puccini’s debut opera is the right place to be!

Unlike fairies, elves or sylphs, who repeatedly step into the limelight of world literature, the Villi tend to lead a discreet existence on stage. However, this species of elemental spirits is unjustly overshadowed by their more prominent counterparts, as they are the ones ensuring justice in the deadly battle of the sexes.
Alphonse Karr’s romantic tale of the same name in which young women are transformed into avenging spirits called Villi became the basis of Adolphe Adam’s successful ballet Giselle that inspired a 25-year-old Puccini to createb his first opera for a composition competition. While Puccini didn’t win, he was able to demonstrate his remarkable dramatic and melodic talent.
Anna and Roberto are the first of a whole series of Puccini couples whose love affair fails. After their engagement, Roberto travels to Mainz for an inheritance where he falls for an attractive stranger. Anna dies of agony and unites her soul with the Villi, the souls of dead women abandoned before their wedding. Roberto’s remorse comes too late, as he is caught in a deadly dance by the vengeful elemental spirits.

With Le Villi, Puccini created an impressive piece of music theatre in which symphonic orchestral passages alternate with large solo scenes and choral tableaux and in which the role of a speaking narrator is also included!

Age recommendation: 12+