La Périchole

At the origin of La Périchole, we find the story of the life of a Peruvian actress and courtesan Camila Périchole, itself inspired by that of a historical character, Micaëla Villegas known as “la perra chola” (literally “of mestizo”), who was in her time actress and especially mistress of the viceroy of Peru Don Manuel. Mérimée had already been inspired by it for her comedy Le Carrosse du Saint-Sacrement, where under the pen of Offenbach’s librettists, she became a street singer. More “political” by its caricature of the power of the high spheres than La Vie parisienne, La Périchole nevertheless embalms of that immoral and libertine spirit that made the success of the musician. And as for La Vie parisienne last winter, here are gathered French singers who have already all rubbed brilliantly with this repertoire that requires as much musicality as theatricality.