“Claude” – libretto by Robert Badinter and music by Thierry Escaich – is a modern opera inspired by Victor Hugo’s “Claude Gueux”. The synopsis of...

“Claude” – libretto by Robert Badinter and music by Thierry Escaich – is a modern opera inspired by Victor Hugo’s “Claude Gueux”. The synopsis of ‘’Claude’’ is based on a true story. Claude, a silk worker from la Croix-Rousse, tries to lives a happy life with his wife and daughter. For them and for him he refuses the misery imposed by their condition. When his boss lays off workers to replace them by new English machines, Claude grabs his rifle and run to the barricades. Claude is sentenced to 7 years of hard labor at a prison workshop. His love for the quality of his work and his hate of injustice makes him a charismatic figure for the others prisoners. To weaken him, the prison warden separates Claude from Albin, his most precious friend and fellow inmate. A chain of injustice and violence then follows, leading to Claude’s murdering the director. He will himself be guillotined. “Claude” is a plea against prison and for human dignity worn by magnificent performers: Jean-Sébastien Bou, in the title role, Jean-Philippe Lafont and Rodrigo Ferreira. Jérémie Rhorer conducts the Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon. Olivier Py staged this thrilling opera.