La Clémence de Titus

The Clemency of Titus by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at Palais Garnier. Duration: 2h45 with 1 intermission. Language: Italian. Surtitles: French / English.

The title of The Clemency of Titus announces it straight away: the emperor of Rome, although betrayed by his friend who tried to kill him for love of a woman, will know how to forgive the conspirators.

This theme of clemency is a classic for operas, especially when they are from a royal commission.

This is precisely the case with this work, composed in just eighteen days by Mozart for Prague in 1791 on the occasion of Leopold II's coronation, in parallel with The Magic Flute and the Requiem.

Despite a libretto by poet Metastasio many times used by other composers, and a musical form – opera seria – already superseded, Mozart's subtle and delicate music makes the accuracy of feelings shine through.

In the stylized staging of Willy Decker, a marble block at the center of the stage gradually reveals the emperor's hidden face: that of a lonely and wounded man. Harry Bicket Musical Direction. Willy Decker Staging. Pavol Breslik. Tito Vespasiano (24 Nov. ) Matthew Polenzani.

) Hanna-Elisabeth Müller Vitelia. Johanna Wallroth Servilia. Emily D'Angelo Sesto. Maria Warenberg Annio. Alex Rosen Publio. Orchestra and Chorus of the Paris National Opera.