A Night At The Opera....... (Poitou-Charentes Style)
Saturday 10th August, on a cooler summer’s evening, saw the 20th annual opera presentation at the Gallo-Roman site at Sanxay in the Vienne department. A magnificent setting for a major performance by the “Orchestra & Choir of Soirées Lyriques de Sanxay” of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aïda”.
The site was a centre for taking the waters under the patronage of two divinities, perhaps Apollo and Mercury, gods of healing and water divinities. It attracted a large number of patients and the faithful from the surrounding countryside. Local residents would congregate here to celebrate festivals worshipping divinities, to attend rites and see performances in the theatre.
Performed on 3 nights (August 10th, 12th and 14th) and starting just before the sun sets at 21h30 the stunning setting and powerful voices combined with the orchestra leads you back to ancient Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs for a powerful love story against the backdrop of war
The site itself is open between 15th May to 15th September and is found between Poitiers and Niort.
Whether you already own a holiday home in the Poitou-Charentes or have made the move to France or have never been to an opera before I would thoroughly recommend a visit of some kind.
