The Ghosts of Versailles

The Ghosts of Versailles is a grand opera that blends historical drama with supernatural fantasy, set against the opulence and decay of the Palace of Versailles. The work centers on the ghost of Marie Antoinette, who appears to the Comte de Fersen, her former lover, as he grapples with the aftermath of the French Revolution. Through a series of interconnected scenes that move between the ethereal realm of the dead and memories of the ancien régime, the opera explores themes of love, loss, and the inexorable march of history. The narrative weaves together personal passion with political upheaval, as characters confront the consequences of their choices and the inevitable fall of a world they once dominated. Corigliano's score combines lyrical beauty with dramatic intensity, creating a work that honors operatic tradition while engaging with contemporary sensibilities about power, mortality, and redemption.