Orange, Fa: At Chorégies d’Orange, sit as Romans did

Saturday, July 9th, 2016 - Saturday, August 6th, 2016 All day
Chorégies d'Orange, Orange, France Chorégies d'Orange, Orange, France
Jul. 9-Aug. 6: Chorégies d’Orange – Full details

Opera lovers will also want to take in a performance at the splendid ancient Roman amphitheater at Orange, in the Rhône valley north of Avignon. Dating back to 1869, France’s oldest festival historically presents few performances – only seven this year, but with 8,500 seats there’s room for everyone.


This summer’s repertory includes Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, withMikko Franck conducting and a cast that includes Ermonela Jaho andBryan Hymel (July 9 and 12); Verdi’s La traviata conducted byDaniele Rustioni, with Diana Damrau,Francesco Meli, and Plácido Domingo(Aug. 3 and 6), and a strongly cast Verdi Requiem, with the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouseconducted by Tugan Sokhiev, music director of the Toulouse and Bolshoi symphonies (Aug. 3).

Facilities are minimal, so bring a seat cushion, a jacket, and even rain gear against cool evening temperatures and possible showers.