Thayer Hall
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Step back in time to Paris in 1867, a pivotal year that not only marked the city as the cultural epicenter of Europe but also a thriving hub for arts patronage under the glittering rule of Napoleon III. Within this golden age, Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette premiered at the Théâtre Lyrique, captivating audiences to the tune of 89 performances in its first year alone.
This lecture will delve deep into the lush cultural landscape of the Second Empire (1852-1870), exploring how the city’s fervor for the arts and the Universal Exposition provided fertile ground for opera. Focusing on the Théâtre Lyrique—the city’s fourth major opera house renowned for its role in promoting groundbreaking French operas—discover how Gounod, alongside the visionary director Léon Carvalho, brought not only Roméo et Juliette but also Faust to the stage. Join us for an immersive exploration of a time when Paris reigned as the undisputed heart of artistic innovation and operatic splendor.