David et Jonathas at the Royal Chapel of Versailles - Royal Chapel of Versailles

Location

Royal Chapel of Versailles
1 Place Léon Gambetta, 78000 Versailles
Capacity 800 seats

Duration

2 h 30 min

With intermission

Details

Opera

For all audiences

In French with French and English surtitles

HIGHLIGHTS: CHARPENTIER’S DAVID ET JONATHAS AT THE ROYAL CHAPEL OF VERSAILLES

Immerse yourself in the baroque and tragic world of David et Jonathas, Marc-Antoine Charpentier's lyrical masterpiece, performed at the Royal Chapel of Versailles from 16 May to 18 May 2025. On this extraordinary stage, you will witness the poignant story of the deep friendship between David and Jonathas, the son of King Saul. Their destinies will be turned upside down by betrayal, confrontation and the cruelty of power.

Reinoud Van Mechelen, with his fine tenor voice, and soprano Caroline Arnaud will brilliantly portray the two protagonists, while bringing out the best in Charpentier's magnificent music. David Witczak will play the tormented Saul, and François-Olivier Jean will lend his voice to the mysterious Pythonisse.

With Marshall Pynkoski's dazzling staging, Christian Lacroix's sumptuous costumes and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg's choreography, you are sure to be transported into the spellbinding world, leaving you stunned for words.

Gaétan Jarry will conduct the Marguerite Louise Choir and Orchestra, which he founded in 2011, with masterly skill. As for the Royal Opera Ballet, it will breathe even more intense life into this unforgettable score.

An architectural jewel from the 17th century, the Royal Chapel of Versailles offers a dream setting and exceptional acoustics for this riveting opera.

See details for our premium options below!

Next dates

PREMIUM OPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, choose between one of the following upgraded offers at the time of booking:

Prestige Tickets: Show + Glass of Champagne + Programme
This ticket category includes a glass of champagne, a specially prepared programme of the show, as well as exclusive access to the two best categories in the house.

Prestige VIP Tickets: Show + Glass of Champagne + Programme
This ticket category includes a glass of champagne, a specially prepared programme of the show, as well as exclusive access to the best seats in the house.

STORY: CHARPENTIER’S DAVID ET JONATHAS AT THE ROYAL CHAPEL OF VERSAILLES

David et Jonathas, a lyrical tragedy by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, plunges you into the Old Testament and tells the story of the deep friendship between David, a young shepherd turned king, and Jonathas, son of King Saul.

Their friendly relationship is tested by political intrigue and jealousy. Saul, gnawed by the fear of seeing David succeed him, persecutes him and forces him into exile.
Despite the trials, David and Jonathas remain faithful to each other. They meet up in secret, but their friendship cannot last in the face of the conflicts that are tearing their people apart.

War breaks out between the Israelites and the Philistines. David is forced to fight on the enemy side and must confront Jonathas on the battlefield. The duel is inevitable and tragic: Jonathas is killed, leaving David inconsolable.

Victorious yet utterly shattered, David becomes king in place of Saul, who has committed suicide. A victory overshadowed by the loss of his most beloved friend.

David et Jonathas is deeply moving work that highlights the theme of friendship in the face of power, betrayal and sacrifice. Charpentier's music, of great beauty and intensity, underlines this tragic story with great poignancy.

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Royal Chapel of Versailles

1 Place Léon Gambetta, 78000 Versailles

History and Fun Facts about the Royal Chapel of Versailles

If buildings could talk, what would they say? Certainly, the Royal Chapel of Versailles could tell a tale or two! After all, it was the venue for the marriage between the last king and queen of France: Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The chapel’s construction was completed in 1710 during the reign of Louis XVI’s great-great-great-grandfather, Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. It was the fifth and final chapel to be built at the Palace of Versailles, and it was consecrated to Saint Louis, the patron saint of the king, as well as one of the king’s ancestors.

The architecture itself references this lineage, through several similarities with the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, which Saint Louis had founded, as well as in the emblazoned double-L motif on the altar symbolizing the saint, and the Sun King together. The vaulted ceiling of the Royal Chapel of Versailles was constructed by Hardouin-Mansart, without the use of transvers ribs, in order to create a vast, uninterrupted depiction of the Holy Trinity, above the heads of the congregation. For decades, this painting would look down on the French Royal Family as they took their daily mass, an event which became renowned across Europe for its use of music, played on a huge organ designed by Cliquot.

The Royal Chapel of Versailles also incorporates classical-inspired designs in its impressive colonnades, which we have come to associate with the Neoclassical boom of the 18th century, however, the chapel’s construction was completed long before the movement really came to prominence, showing that its architects were truly ahead of their time. Since the chapel’s deconsecration in the 19th century, it has become a go-to venue for classical concerts, and so it should be, having been the epicenter of European music in centuries gone by. What better place to experience the history of music!

Fast facts
Capacity: 800
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

plan d'access, access map, chapelle royale de versailles, royal chapel of versailles

FAQ

How do I get to the Royal Chapel of Versailles?

The Royal Chapel of Versailles is accessible by:
RER: Line C (station Versailles Château Rive Gauche), from this station, the castle is a 10-minute walk.
Transilien: Line N (station Versailles Chantiers), line U (station Versailles Chantiers), line L (station Versailles Rive Droite), from this station, the castle is a 25-minute walk.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Paris
The Royal Chapel is located within the Château de Versailles. To get there, follow the signs for Entrance B at the top right of the Cour d'Honneur.
You can find a map to guide you to the the Royal Chapel’s ticket office in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to the Royal Chapel of Versailles?

We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of David et Jonathas, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Royal Chapel of Versailles’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

How long does the opera, David et Jonathas, last?

The opera David et Jonathas at the Royal Chapel of Versailles lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes, with intermission.

Is David et Jonathas for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Royal Chapel of Versailles has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for many years. The opera, David et Jonathas, is sung in its original French version. Surtitles are provided in both French and English so that international audiences can appreciate this opera in this incredible Parisian venue.

Where will I be seated, and will I see the surtitles* properly?

At the Royal Chapel of Versailles, the surtitles are projected on each side of the stage. Category 1 and Prestige offer the best view of the surtitles.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. Funfact: In French “sur” means “above”.

Is there a dress code at the Royal Chapel of Versailles?

There is no specific dress code at the Royal Chapel of Versailles , but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.

For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress.

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

I bought tickets for David et Jonathas and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! Your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Royal Chapel of Versailles can assign your seat. You may see a pre-payment on your card, but rest assured that we will not charge your card until your reservation has been validated by the Royal Opera of Versailles. Once the reservation is confirmed, you will receive your ticket by email.
Due to the large number of requests that the Royal Chapel of Versailles has to manage, this process usually takes two business days, but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.