LA VESTALE Spontini – Opéra national de Paris

Priestess Julia watches over the eternal flame of the goddess Vesta. While the Great Vestal condemns to death every virgin who breaks her vow of chastity, Julia is delighted to be reunited with Licinius, who has returned from war as a victorious Roman general. One night, as the two lovers swear their love before the temple altar, the eternal flame goes out… Opéra national de Paris makes its OperaVision debut with Gaspare Spontini’s La Vestale, a rarely performed opera that was triumphantly received when it premiered on this very stage in 1807. Stage director Lydia Steier explores the themes of religious extremism and militaristic zeal: can love have any hope of surviving between these two ruthless extremes? Conductor Bertrand de Billy leads the Orchestra of the Paris Opera and a first-rate cast, including Elza van den Heever as Julia, Michael Spyres as her beloved Licinius, and Eve-Maud Hubeaux as the Grande Vestale. Full performance streamed on OperaVision from 6 September 2024 at 19:00 CET to 6 March 2025 at 12:00 CET: CAST Julia Elza van den Heever Licinius Michael Spyres The Great Vestal Ève‑Maud Hubeaux Cinna Julien Behr The High Priest Jean Teitgen The Chief of the Aruspices, a consul Florent Mbia Chorus Opéra national de Paris Chorus Orchestra Opéra national de Paris Orchestra Music Gaspare Spontini Text Étienne de Jouy Conductor Bertrand de Billy Director Lydia Steier Sets Etienne Pluss Costumes Katharina Schlipf Lights Valerio Tiberi Video Etienne Guiol Dramaturgy Olaf A. Schmitt Chorus Master Ching-Lien Wu OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision. @operavision