Roman theatre at Orange, France

The Chorégies d'Orange is a summer opera festival held each year in August in Orange located about seventy miles northwest of Marseille in southern France. Opera is an art form in which Singers and Musicians perform a Dramatic work (called an opera which combines a text (called a Libretto Orange ( Provençal Occitan: Aurenja in classical norm or Aurenjo in Mistralian norm norm is a town and commune in the Marseille, ( English alt Marseilles mɑrˈseɪ — French: maʁsɛj locally — Provençal Occitan: Marselha maʀˈsijɔ This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Performances are presented in the ancient Roman theatre, the Théâtre Antique d'Orange, the original stage wall of which has remained intact, creating a semi-circular auditorium which seats 9,000. The Roman theatre is a theatre building built by the Romans for watching theatrical performances. The Théâtre antique d'Orange is an ancient Roman theatre, built early in the 1st Century A

A festival began in Orange in 1860 and was held periodically, but it was only after the Roman theatre was restored in 1869 that it became the location of a popular “Roman Festival” which celebrated the glory of Rome and included a performance of Méhul’s opera, Joseph. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting Year 1869 ( MDCCCLXIX) is a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Etienne Henri (or Nicolas) Méhul ( June 22, 1763 - October 18, 1817) was a French Composer, "the Joseph (sometimes known as Joseph en Égypte) is an Opera in three acts by the French composer Étienne Méhul. All the major players of the French classical stage appeared in the Orange festivals, including Sarah Bernhardt who played “Phèdre” in 1903. Sarah Bernhardt (October 22 1844 &ndash March 26 1923 was a French stage actress and has been referred to as "the most famous actress in the history of the world"

In 1902 the festival was given a new name, the “Chorégies” and it was planned to take place annually. The name comes from the Greek khorêgós (choir leader). Until 1969 the Chorégies consisted of plays, alternating with musical works, opera and symphonies. However, after that date, Orange became solely an opera festival and theatrical works were performed at Avignon. Avignon (/aviɲɔ̃/ in French) ( Provençal: Avinhon in classical norm or Avignoun in Mistralian norm is a commune

In 1971 the “New Chorégies” began, with a format not unlike the present one where only about six performances are given during the month-long Festival, typically two performances of two operas along with a recital or concert. It quickly became an international success with many major international singers appearing.

See also

• List of opera festivals

External links

• Festival website