Jacques Offenbach
FANTASIO
A co-production with Opéra Comique de Paris, Grand Théâtre de Geneve, Opéra de Rouen and Opéra de Montpellier
Conducted by Laurent Campellone
Directed by Thomas Jolly
Fantasio, an opéra comique by the famous French composer Jacques Offenbach was created in Paris in 1872. The French libretto by Paul de Musset was closely based on the play of the same name by his brother Alfred de Musset, which first performed in Paris in 1866. The choice of Fantasio as an operatic subject was considered a bold one, as Musset's play had not seen great success. The opera, too, found little success in Offenbach's lifetime, but was revived in the 20th century, when it gloriously returned to European opera stages.
The opera begins with the celebration of the announced wedding of the prince of Mantua and the princess of Bavaria. The young princess Elsbeth, who is not in love with her fiancé, confides to the jester Fantasio, who casts more doubt in her mind about the marriage, only to end up in jail as an enemy. The prince of Mantua, wanting to learn about Elsbeth's true feelings, disguises himself, and after much peripeteia finds out about Elsbeth's doubts, and thus postpones the wedding. Elsbeth knows she must go ahead with the marriage to help bring peace between the two kingdoms, but Fantasio still has qualms about the marriage, and manages to convince the prince of Mantua to renounce marriage and return to Mantua, without declaring war. Fantasio, who was nicknamed "king of fools", is pardoned by the king and there is a happy ending in sight.
Offenbach is best known for his comic operas, and Fantasio is often referred to as his darkest opera, in which he tells the story of a girl forced to marry in political turmoil in order to secure the peace of her country, and forced to put aside her own emotions. The work is full of beautiful arias, duets and triplets, while the orchestral score is rich and inventive. With this co-production the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb continues its collaboration with renowned European opera companies, expanding its repertoire and enriching its opera production.
Laurent Campellone is a French conductor. After studying the violin, tuba, percussion, and philosophy, he earned a degree in conducting from the Frédéric Chopin Conservatory of Paris. After he won the first prize at the 8th International Competition for young conductors, Campellone was invited to conduct numerous at European operas and symphonic orchestras. Since 2004 he has been Musical Director of Saint-Etienne Opera and Symphonic Orchestra, and regularly conducts around the world.
Thomas Jolly (b. 1982) is a French actor and stage director. He earned a degree in Theatre Studies at the University of Caen, where with his colleagues he founded a theatre company, performing all over the region. Having graduated from the École Supérieure d’Art Dramatique at the National Theatre of Brittany in Rennes, he worked with the most notable contemporary French directors, and directed plays by classical and contemporary dramatists. He is an associated artist of the National Theatre of Strasbourg.
