Massenet: Thaïs backdrop

Massenet: Thaïs 2008 Directed by John Cox , Gary Halvorson

When the most voluptuous, sought-after courtesan in the world meets an ascetic monk whose life is devoted to God, you know erotic sparks are going to fly. And when the clash takes place in a glorious, but rarely performed, opera by Massenet, it’s a delight to the ear just as much as to the eye. Renée Fleming is every inch the glamorous Thaïs, swathed in elegant gowns designed by Christian Lacroix. Thomas Hampson is Athanaël, the tortured man of God. This production by John Cox, which premiered in December 2008, brilliantly sets the stage for a confrontation as old as civilization itself.

Country France
Production Country USA
Language French
Spoken Languages English , French
Gnere Music
Production Companies The Metropolitan Opera , Decca
Release Date 20 December 2008
148 mins