French-Canadian baritone Laurent Deleuil takes us to Versailles, where he is singing the role of Un guerrier in Charpentier‘s David et Jonathas at the Château of Versailles from May 16th to 18th (tickets and info).
Laurent can be found performing on stages across Europe and his home country of Canada. Recent highlights include engagements with Opéra national du Rhin, Opéra Grand Avignon, Maison Symphonique and Tête à tête Festival. To finish off his 2024/25 season, he will be singing the role of le Dancaïre in Carmen at Théâtre Mohammed V in Morocco.
While in Versailles, Laurent shares the beautiful gardens and architecture of the city, the best place to grab a healthy lunch and some behind-the-scenes shots. Read on to find out more.
City where you’re working?
Versailles, France.
How long are you working on contract?
I’m only on contract for 10 days since it’s a reprise of our 2023 production.
What’s the opera house like?
This production of the Opéra Royal du Château de Versailles exceptionally takes place in the Royal Chapel, a truly magical place almost unchanged since 1710.
Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
I love how most of the big boulevards in the city have double rows of trees, which make a really pleasant walk. I even make little detours when walking to rehearsal to enjoy the shade, review some music or just clear my head.
Best coffee or tea?
Moelleux Café is the perfect stop on my way to the Château.
Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
For lunch, I recommand Positive Deli, delicious healthy food and juices.
An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
Obviously here, visiting the Château and its gardens is a unique experience. I finally got to visit the Petit Trianon this time, considered a jewel of 18th-century architecture. It’s an inspiration for many buildings in North America, like the Château Dufresne in Montreal.
Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
During rehearsal we stumbled on the shooting of a period drama!
How did you find accommodation?
I am lucky to live in Paris, just a train ride away. It’s nice to get to stay home sometimes!
What’s the most important thing you think of when it comes to finding accommodation as a singer?
Usually, I try to find an appartement as close as possible to the opera house. I find you save so much stress and energy that way.
Have you had a chance to explore some galleries or museums?
I discovered the beautiful terrasse in the breathtaking garden of the Musée Lambinet, located in a beautiful 18th-century hôtel particulier.
Is there anything else you’d recommend?
I really recommend a visit to the gardens of the Château during les Grandes Eaux. It’s a totally different experience when all the fountains are working, and that’s how it was really designed to be enjoyed.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LAURENT DELEUIL
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
© Photo used with permission from the artist
The Canadian connection: Marshal Pynkoski (staging), Laurent Deleuil (un Guerrier), Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg (choreography), François-Olivier Jean (la Pythonisse)
© Laurent Deleuil
Laurent in front of the recently restored roof of the Royal Chapel
© Photo used with permission from the artist
Costume fitting
© Laurent Deleuil
The door of the Royal Chapel
David et Jonathas
Opéra Royal du Château de Versailles
May 16-18
DAVID: Reinoud Van Mechelen
JONATHAS: Caroline Arnaud
SAÜL: David Witczak
PYTHONISSE: François-Olivier Jean
JOABEL: Antonin Rondepierre
SAMUEL’S SHADOW: Geoffroy Buffière
ACHIS: Cyril Costanzo
UN GUERRIER: Laurent Deleuil
BALLET DE L’OPÉRA ROYAL
CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA:
Ensemble Marguerite Louise
CONDUCTOR: Gaétan Jarry
DIRECTOR: Marshall Pynkoski
CHROEGRAPHY:
Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg
SETS: Antoine et Roland Fontaine
COSTUMES: Christian Lacroix
COSTUMES ASSISTANT:
Jean-Philippe Pons
LIGHTS: Hervé Gary
EXTRAS: Léo Reymann and
Timothée Grivet
This is Charpentier’s masterpiece, and one of the miracles of Baroque opera!
Although Marc-Antoine Charpentier spent most of his career excluded from the Opéra, where Lully had the royal privilege, he was nevertheless able to create a lyrical masterpiece under very unique conditions. In 1688, the Collège Louis Le Grand, in the Jesuit tradition of theatre, music and choreography, staged his lyric tragedy David and Jonathas, its acts interspersed between those of the play Saul. This musical piece recounts a well-known subject from the Old Testament, the deep friendship – the biblical love – between David and Jonathas, son of King Saul. The latter is convinced of the betrayal of the young David, who sought refuge in the Philistine camp after his banishment. The inevitable clash between their armies ends in the suicide of the defeated Saul, while Jonathas dies in the arms of the victorious David.
The extraordinary inspiration of Charpentier’s music, the dramatic force of the libretto and the intense emotion that emanates from the work made it a great success even then, as demonstrated by several revivals at other Jesuit colleges. This production is a Baroque dream: to perform the sacred drama David and Jonathas in the Chapelle Royale at Versailles, with a sumptuous set by Antoine and Roland Fontaine, costumes by Christian Lacroix, dazzling Baroque staging by Marshall Pynkoski, choreography by Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg and the exquisite musical vision of Gaétan Jarry leading exceptional soloists. This is a stirring version of the powerful, fateful love story of David and Jonathas.
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Máiri Demings is Opera Canada’s digital content specialist. She’s also a mezzo-soprano who has sung with Tapestry Opera, performs regularly with VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert and Toronto Operetta Theatre, and is one half of duo mezzopiano with pianist Zain Solinski.
