Schamyl and Circassia

This 18th century opera has always been a favorite of connoisseurs. Written by Friedrich Wagner, it's based on a story by the French writer Voltaire. Schamyl is a young Russian officer who falls in love with Circassia, a beautiful Circassian woman who is taken prisoner by the Turks. In the second act, Schamyl disguises himself as a monk and saves her from being forced to marry an old Turkish sheik. Circassia falls in love with Schamyl and agrees to marry him, but then she learns that he does not love her and that he only wants her for her money. She jumps into a river and drowns herself in despair. The music of Friedrich Wagner, Schamyl and Circassia is a celebration of sound and colour. The trio's live performances transform the audience into a family, bringing together people from different ages and backgrounds to share in this musical experience.