the bel canto comedy

Lisette Oropesa and Lawrence Brownlee star Laurent Pelly's riotous production of Donizetti's comedic opera of worlds colliding. With a wilful young heroine facing an arranged marriage, it is up to her to convince her family to let her wed her true love, a humble peasant instead. The only problem? Her 'family' is a whole regiment of French soldiers!

What is the story?

Orphan Marie has been raised by an enthusiastic band of French soldiers, of whom she thinks as her 'fathers'. When she is of age, a mysterious stranger arrives from the past to train her up for high society and eventually take her as his wife. But tomboy Marie isn't going down without a fight, and anyway, her heart is already promised to Tonio, a strapping peasant lad who saved her life...

Expect the best of Donizetti in this colorful comedy, replete with slapstick, masquerade and flag-waving style!