Chabrier – L'Étoile

Every year, King Ouf I looks forward to his self-invented birthday present: to have a random subject executed. This year, the choice falls on the brazen peddler Lazuli. However, court astrologer Siroco warns the king: Ouf’s star is closely linked to that of Lazuli. So if he dies, Ouf dies. Of course, the majesty does not let that happen: Lazuli’s life is protected at all costs. He is pampered and is eventually even allowed to marry the princess!

This absurd fact forms the basis of L’Étoile: a witty, socially critical opera. This Opéra Bouffe tacks between light comedy, black humor and sharp satire. Chabrier’s music is as surprising as the plot: a playful mix of sparkling melodies, impressionistic tones and subliminal darkness, in which the influence of Jacques Offenbach resonates and even points to Kurt Weill. With musical inventions such as a ‘tickle trio’ and a ‘sneeze aria’, Chabrier perfectly captures the madness of power and human foolishness.

Director Matthew Eberhardt brings this unique story to life with great enthusiasm. He praises L’Étoile as ‘brilliant music theatre’. With his versatile experience in theatre and music theatre, he looks forward to introducing the audience to the bizarre and sometimes painfully familiar world of Chabrier’s first grand opera.

Orchestra Philzuid provides the music in L’Étoile under the direction of the French conductor Nicolas Krüger.

L’Étoile lasts approximately two and a half hours including intermission and is sung and spoken in French, with Dutch and English surtitles.