The Sicilian Vespers at Royal Opera House
From curtain rise to fall, and from the first to the final note, a grandiose spectacle of vengeance and betrayal bulldozed the stage. Stefan Herheim’s masterful direction bore all the hallmarks of an incredible Verdi opera. His theatrical craftsmanship is one for the history books: a highly stylised production of intellectual rigour, featuring extraordinary arias and duets paired with unparalleled orchestral compositions, courtesy of renowned conductor Speranza Scappucci. Phillip Furhofer’s set design radiated opulence befitting mid-19th-century Paris; rotating, mirrored balconies and gilded boxes for the French Oppressors, while the Sicilians occupied the entirety of the stage. The theatrical architecture, combined with meticulously curated lighting by Billy Slocombe and Chris Wilkinson, as well as the music, worked in perfect harmony to symbolise the power dynamics central to the opera’s patriotic themes of nationalism.
Based on real historical events, the infamous tale of rebellion and passion was captured beautifully by lead soprano Joyce El-Khoury, who portrayed Hélène, a noblewoman seeking revenge for her brother’s execution at the hands of the French. Her lover, Henri (tenor Valentyn Dytiuk), is torn between his father, the French tyrannical governor, Guy de Montfort (Quinn Kelsey), and his Sicilian blood. Verdi’s rich emotional candour appears to equate the drama of their tumultuous romance with the political turmoil, to the point where they almost become one.
The choreography by André de Jong was a remarkable addition to the dramatic eruptions of the opera, making it integral to the storytelling and individual emotional journeys of the characters. Combining classical and contemporary ballet with traditional Sicilian dance, the ballerinas weaved like apparitions between the singers amidst the heights of the drama, not only encapsulating the narrative through movement but also nurturing the visual rhythm of the score. Under Scappucci’s deft baton, the orchestra delivered an audible feast and a great homage to Verdi’s legacy.
The five-act French libretto is a complex reconfiguration of a story of nationalistic upheaval during 13th-century Sicily. Its tendency to oscillate between art and politics, heritage and revolution and public and personal makes it an enchanting, imposing, yet always mesmerising four-hour night of entertainment.
Nina Doroushi
Photos: The Royal Opera ©2025 Tristram Kenton
The Sicilian Vespers is at the Royal Opera House from 19th September until 6th October 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
Watch the trailer for The Sicilian Vespers at the Royal Opera House here:
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