Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana—Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims (The Journey to Reims)

Uproarious comedy, bel canto brilliance, a Rossini masterpiece

Sublime music and riotous comedy come together to tell a story of how the best-laid plans can sometimes go hilariously wrong.

A group of aristocrats, artists, diplomats and travellers from all over Europe has gathered at the Golden Lily spa, preparing to attend the coronation of French King Charles X in Reims. But their luggage has been lost and the horses are nowhere to be found. The grand journey must be abandoned.

Stranded together, the illustrious company decides to throw a party, a perfect starting point for international romantic adventures, jealousies, misunderstandings and rivalries. It’s 19th-century Europe in miniature, with status and sophistication giving way to glorious chaos.

Created to celebrate that 1825 coronation and showcasing the finest voices of the time, Rossini’s final opera in Italian vanished after just a few performances, its score lost until reconstructed for Claudio Abbado’s landmark revival at the Pesaro Rossini Festival in 1984. Its musical richness demands bravura vocal talent from a large and virtuosic cast—with 18 solo roles including nine principals, it is a work only the most capable opera companies can mount.

The Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, founded in 1918, has built a strong reputation in the Italian bel canto repertoire, and Il viaggio a Reims stands as a showcase of the company’s artistic strengths. It’s a journey you simply cannot miss!

Advance Bookings will start at 10am on 7 October 2026