La vestale (Spontini)

This article is about the opera by Spontini. For the 1840 opera by Mercadante, see La vestale (Mercadante). For the submarine, see French submarine La Vestale (Q176).
La vestale
Tragédie lyrique by Gaspare Spontini
Caroline Branchu in the title role of Julia, on a poster for the premiere
TranslationThe Vestal Virgin
LibrettistÉtienne de Jouy
LanguageFrench
Premiere
15 December 1807 (1807-12-15)
Salle Montansier, Paris

La vestale (The Vestal Virgin) is an opera composed by Gaspare Spontini to a French libretto by Étienne de Jouy. It takes the form of a tragédie lyrique in three acts. It was first performed on 15 December 1807 by the Académie Impériale de Musique (Paris Opera) at the Salle Montansier and is regarded as Spontini's masterpiece.[1] The musical style shows the influence of Gluck and anticipates the works of Berlioz, Wagner, and French Grand opera.[2]

  1. ^ Holden, p. 1002
  2. ^ Holden, pp. 1003–1004; Wagner conducted La vestale in Dresden in 1844 (source: Del Teatro).