Dutch National Opera

The Maid of Orleans

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893)

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Photo: Hugo Thomassen

Dates

12 November – 2 December 2025

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

TBA

Tickets

From € 31

Photo: Hugo Thomassen

Tchaikovsky’s grand opera about Joan of Arc

The Maid of Orleans is a rarely performed gem in the oeuvre of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This compelling opera centres on Joan of Arc—not only as a national heroine but also as a young woman with doubts and desires. According to legend, she liberated the city of Orléans in the fifteenth century and led the French army to victory against the English. Yet in the end, she was condemned and branded a heretic by her own people. Director Dmitri Tcherniakov, known for his powerful interpretations of the Russian opera repertoire, brings this monumental work to the stage in a gripping production.

A monumental grand opéra

Tchaikovsky based his opera on the play of the same name by Friedrich Schiller. Just as in the play, Joan’s determination is put to the test when she unexpectedly falls in love with the enemy knight, Lionel. With this work, Tchaikovsky created his own version of French grand opéra, in which large-scale historical themes are explored in an impressive way.

A contemporary perspective

Tcherniakov places Joan’s struggle in a modern context. In his staging, the combative Joan is at the heart of the storm, constantly watched and criticised by the powers surrounding her. In doing so, he sheds new light on the timeless story of a woman who chooses her own path in a hostile world.

A strong cast and musical debut

Conductor Valentin Uryupin makes his debut at Dutch National Opera, leading the Netherlands Philharmonic. The demanding title role will be performed by Elena Stikhina, who previously shone in Madama Butterfly and Suor Angelica in Amsterdam. Tenor Allan Clayton appears as King Charles VII, while baritones Andrey Zhilikhovsky and Vladislav Sulimsky make their house debut as Lionel and Dunois. Bass John Relyea also makes his debut, in the role of the Archbishop.

Ticket sales start

Ticket sales for The Maid of Orleans start on 8 May 2025 at 12 noon. Don’t want to miss this on-sale moment? Sign up for our ticket alert and receive a notification when ticket sales open.

Performance information

New production

Opera in four acts

Sung in Russian

Music and libretto Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Musical direction Valentin Uryupin
Stage direction and set design Dmitri Tcherniakov
Costume design Elena Zaitseva
Lighting design Gleb Filshtinsky
Fight choreography Ran Arthur Braun

Joan of Arc Elena Stikhina
King Charles VII Allan Clayton
Agnes Sorel Nadezhda Pavlova
Lionel Andrey Zhilikhovsky
Dunois Vladislav Sulimsky
The Archbishop John Relyea
Thibaut of Arc Gábor Bretz
Raimond Oleksiy Palchykov

Netherlands Philharmonic

Chorus of Dutch National Opera
Chorus master Edward Ananian-Cooper

Co-production with Metropolitan Opera New York

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Ticket sales for The Maid of Orleans start on 8 May 2025 at 12 noon. Don’t want to miss this on-sale moment? Sign up for our ticket alert and receive a notification when ticket sales open.

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“Joan of Arc would meet resistance in our times as well”

Director Dmitri Tcherniakov on The Maid of Orleans

Dmitri Tcherniakov is once again tackling a Tchaikovsky opera. After his successful productions of Eugene Onegin in Moscow and Iolanta in Paris, now he will be focusing on The Maid of Orleans, about the legendary figure of Joan of Arc. What is it about this relatively unknown work that appeals to him?

Photo: Doris Spiekermann - Klaas