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Andrea ChénierAndrea Chénier
Opera

Andrea Chénier

Umberto Giordano

Love and revolution – a truly volatile mix!

The National Theatre
Historical topic
Suitable for graduation
English surtitles

Basic information

Venue

The National Theatre

Approximate running time

2 hours 30 minutes, 1 intermission (20 minutes) minutes

Language

In Italian, surtitles in Czech, English

Premiere

May 5, 2016

Owing to the torrential dramatic music, as well as the atmosphere of the story set amid the French Revolution, Andrea Chénier is one of the pinnacles of global opera. Its style is markedly Italian, with the sound colour and melody akin to that of Puccini and the forcibility of the crowd scenes reminiscent of Verdi’s operas. Giordano’s piece depicts the drama of a love triangle, featuring the aristocrat Maddalena, the revolutionary Gérard and the poet Chénier. An initially innocent flirtation transforms into a desperate and wild passion.

Cast

  • 2023-2024
  • 2024-2025

Creatives

Libretto
Luigi Illica
Musical preparation
Petr Kofroň
Stage director
Michal Dočekal
Chorus master
Martin Buchta
Dramaturgy
Ondřej Hučín

About

The National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra 

A true gem of Italian verismo opera, Giordano’s Andrea Chénier was presented at the National Theatre in Prague in 1897, a mere year after its world premiere at La Scala in Milan and three months following its first performance in Hamburg, conducted by Gustav Mahler. It had not been staged at the National Theatre for almost 120 years, until the premiere of the current production, on 5 May 2016.

For lovers of Italian Romantic opera, Andrea Chénier is a must-see. Giordano’s music clearly reveals that it hails from the country that gave the world Giuseppe Verdi’s and Giacomo Puccini’s sublime operas. The libretto is based on the fictitious story of the French poet André Chénier, one of the last victims of Robespierre’s Reign of Terror in 1793 and 1794. In Giordano’s opera, the persecuted aristocrat Maddalena writes secret love letters to Chénier; Gérard, who has become a major representative of the Jacobin regime and a popular politician, abuses his power owing to his personal interest in Maddalena; while the dreamer Chénier, the omnipresent terror notwithstanding, keeps believing in liberty, inspiration and love. Yet love amidst revolutionary turmoil is a dangerous matter indeed …

The current production is conducted by Petr Kofroň, and directed by Michal Dočekal.

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Practical information

Where to buy tickets

The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in March-August 2024.


When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.

Parking at the National Theater

While visiting The National Theatre and the New Stage you can use again the underground car park of the National Theatre. Information and a parking fee.

 

What to wear?

By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.

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