John Corigliano: The Ghosts of Versailles (Live)

John Corigliano’s The Ghost of Versailles was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera to celebrate its centennial anniversary. The work, however, was not performed until 1991- eight years after the centennial season. The piece was an instant hit, featuring a large cast and extravagant scenery and costuming. This recording is from the LA Opera, conducted by James Conlon. “It’s comic and serious, entertaining and erudite, silly and thoughtful, emotional and mysterious, harrowing and uplifting, intimate and over-the-top—and the more times you see it, the more you’ll find in it and the more you’ll get out of it.”

The success of Ghosts resulted in many performances throughout the North-American continent in the 25 years to follow, one of which took place in February 2015 at the LA Opera, to great critical acclaim. “It's comic and serious, entertaining and erudite, silly and thoughtful, emotional and mysterious, harrowing and uplifting, intimate and over-the-top — and the more times you see it, the more you'll find in it and the more you'll get out of it.” -Los Angeles Times

Conducted by James Conlon, the production is now being released on as part of the label’s newly launched American Opera Series.

“The artists of Los Angeles Opera’s 2014 production made as compelling a case for The Ghosts of Versailles as I heard on its first night at the MET in 1991. To have that performance preserved in a recording of this quality is, for this composer, a dream come true.” - John Corigliano