La Périchole (Théâtre des Champs-Elysées)

La Périchole, has its origins in the story of the life of the Peruvian actress and courtesan Camila Périchole, who was herself inspired by the historical figure Micaëla Villegas, known as “la perra chola” (literally the “mixed-race bitch”), an actress and also the mistress of the Viceroy of Peru, Don Manuel. Mérimée had already used her as his inspiration for his play Le Carrosse du Saint-Sacrement, and she became a street singer courtesy of Offenbach’s librettists. La Périchole, which is more “political” with its caricature of the upper echelons of power than La Vie parisienne, nevertheless exudes the immoral libertine spirit which made the musician so popular. 25 years after the beginning of their successful collaboration on Offenbach's works, the tandem Marc Minkowski - Laurent Pelly reunites to set this striking social and political satire to music and stage.