In 1828, Mérimée wroteLe carrosse du Saint-Sacrement, based on the life of an actress, mistress of the Viceroy of Peru in the 18th century, who was one day called "Pera chola" (bitch of mixed blood) by the irritated monarch, and Périchole thus came into being. The heroine of this opera buffa is a street singer caught in a choice between love and a better life. The work observes the power of money, and its comic element is more nuanced than that of previous masterpieces by Offenbach. The figure of the heroine is all the more touching because of it and each page of the score speaks of the pure genius of Offenbach.

Opera buffa in 3 acts
Libretto by Henry Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy based on Le carosse du Saint Sacrement by Mérimée

First performed at Théâtre des Variétés in Paris, October 6th 1868 (April 25th 1874) Production Opéra de Lausanne, co-production with Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse and Opéra National de Bordeaux.

Opera Lausanne: Salle Métropole www.opera-lausanne.ch

Dates:

• Sat 26 December 8 PM 
• Sun 27 December 5 PM 
• Tue 29 December 7 PM 
• Thu 31 December 7 PM 
• Sun 3 January 5 PM 

• Tickets Fr. 15.- to 140.- 
• Running time: 2:35 with interval