Royal Opera of the Chateau de Versailles to make debut performance in Shanghai

The Orchestra de Opera Royal du Chateau de Versailles (Royal Opera of the Chateau de Versailles) will make its debut performance in Shanghai, featuring countertenor singers and their signature interpretation of Baroque music.

The concert as part of the celebration for the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic ties in the year 2024, will take place at Shanghai Oriental Art Center on April 7.

The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House of Versailles is the official orchestra based at the Palace of Versailles, holding 100 musical performances at the Palace of Versailles every year. It is widely recognized for the interpretation of Baroque and Romantic period music.

The concert in Shanghai will be conducted by Stefan Plewniak, the first conductor of the Orchestra. Plewniak is a conductor and violinist from Poland. The concert will also feature the soloist of Zhang Zhang, a Chinese violinist.

Countertenor singers Paul-Antoine Benos-Gian and Theo Imaert will present their unique falsetto singing technique, which combines the highest range in the male voice with a metallic texture and a gentle touch of feminine grace.

The program of the concert includes excerpts from Handel's operas Berenice and Serse, excerpts from Vivaldi's opera Il Giustino, as well as the latter's most celebrated creation, The Four Seasons.

Performed at the concert are also a series of arias which are rarely sung in China, such as highlights from Carl Heinrich Graun's opera Caesar and Cleopatra, and Nicola Porpora's opera Polifemo.