Un pétillant “Amour des trois oranges” ouvre la saison de l’Opéra de Lyon

The Opéra de Lyon has inaugurated its 2026-2027 season with a vibrant interpretation of Sergei Prokofiev’s L’Amour des trois oranges, underscoring the company’s commitment to transformation and artistic vitality. This production, running until October 20, marks a notable collaboration between director Laurent Pelly and conductor Dmitry Matvienko, who together inject fresh energy into the early 20th-century work.

Prokofiev’s opera, a whimsical blend of comedy and fantasy rooted in Carlo Gozzi’s 18th-century play, first premiered in Chicago in 1921. The Lyon production retains the original French libretto, preserving the linguistic and stylistic nuances of the initial staging. Pelly’s direction emphasizes the opera’s playful spirit and surreal narrative elements, spotlighting the absurdity that unfolds within the tale of a prince’s quest involving mysterious citrus fruits.

The storyline revolves around the whimsical and sometimes bewildering world inhabited by the King of Trèfle’s family, with the prince at its center. The narrative’s comedic backbone draws heavily from commedia dell’arte traditions, weaving farce and exaggerated character types into the fabric of the performance. This approach offers audiences a spectacle both visually engaging and thematically rich, playing with perceptions and expectations.

Musically, Dmitry Matvienko’s conducting supports the production’s kinetic energy, guiding the orchestra through Prokofiev’s score, which balances lyrical passages with bursts of rhythmic vitality. The music captures the opera’s ironic and fantastical dimensions, complementing the stage’s dynamic action.

An intriguing aspect of this staging is the chorus’s active role in breaking theatrical conventions. They directly interact with the audience, symbolically shattering the fourth wall by physically engaging with the stage curtain and embodying groups characterized by fluid allegiances, reinforcing themes of uncertainty and change.

Following its run in Lyon, this production is set to appear in concert form in Paris, before touring to Strasbourg and Mulhouse, indicating a broader regional interest in revisiting Prokofiev’s early operatic works through innovative interpretations.

Richard Brunel, director of the Opéra de Lyon, had pledged a season defined by metamorphosis and joy as a form of resilience, and this opening production exemplifies that vision. By revisiting a classic with contemporary theatrical sensibilities and a clear embrace of humor and transformation, the company signals an artistic direction that values reinvention and audience engagement.

While the production’s visual and performative elements attract attention, its adherence to the original score and libretto reflects a respect for Prokofiev’s compositional intent. This balance between tradition and innovation situates the staging as both a tribute and a fresh take.

Details regarding the casting and specific design elements remain limited in current reports. However, the collaboration between Pelly and Matvienko suggests a cohesive artistic vision, promising a multifaceted experience for opera-goers.

Overall, the Opéra de Lyon’s choice to open its season with L’Amour des trois oranges highlights a commitment to presenting works that combine historical significance with contemporary relevance, inviting audiences to explore the continually evolving landscape of operatic performance.