What is this Madness?

We're so glad you asked! This one-night-only, after-hours immersive theater experience, conceived and directed by yours truly, will take place throughout the newly-opened retail and hospitality concept Printemps New York, at One Wall Street, centered on a pivotal historic moment in Louis XIV's court, The Affair of the Poisons, mixing poison, palace intrigue, and witchcraft, from murder plots to a Black Mass, in a blend of immersive theater, live performance, historical drama, and unexpected encounters.

Who's Performing?

Some truly excellent people, that's who! Unfolding across multiple rooms of Printemps New York's 55,000 square foot space, you'll be pulled into the action of the narrative through food, drink, and performance. In the main salon, an ensemble of baroque instrumentalists directed by Elliott Figg will perform music from the court of Versailles, while Company XIV performance artists do hand balancing, bottle walking, and Baroque bird dancing acts.

In a nearby corridor, a sole viola da gamba player will guide guests to the Boudoir, where Dušan Balarin on theorbo will accompany soprano Ariadne Greif, as she sings and channels Louis XIV's murderous mistress, Madame Athénaïs de Montespan.

At the center of the evening is a performance by the full Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra and Franco Fagioli, taking place in the main Salon, with music by Giacomo Rossini, Pierre Rode, and more. The performance will mark the New York debut for both the Orchestra and Fagioli.

The evening will conclude with a Black Mass in the Red Room of Printemps New York, hosted by drag opera artist Creatine Price, dancers Liana Zhen-ai, Truth Colon, and Mark Bankin, and performance artists and actors from Company XIV that include a candelabra-balancing belly dancer.

Throughout the evening, DoC artists and actors from Company XIV, playing the below historical characters from The Affair of the Poisons, will engage you in nefarious plots to poison one another, desperate attempts to protect themselves, and everything in between.

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Will there be Food & Drink?

It wouldn't be a Death of Classical event without it! Throughout the evening, you'll be able to enjoy several extraordinary food and beverage offerings, all complimentary with ticket purchase. Passed hors d'ouvres have been designed by award-winning chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Gregory Gourdet, who helms Printemps New York's five dining concepts. Wines will be on offer from the acclaimed Bouchaine Vineyards, as well as bottled cocktails by Via Carota, and non-alcoholic libations by Curious Elixirs. Attendees will also receive a complimentary candle from Trudon's heralded Versailles Collection line as they depart!

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Who Else is Involved?

This is a massive shindig, and we have some incredible partners helping us pull it all together! Obviously Printemps New York is hosting us in their amazing space, and Company XIV is bringing some of its Baroque-ist performance artists... and the entire evening is presented in partnership with Festival Napa Valley and Atout France, part of the New York Debut of the Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra which also includes a full concert on July 23, also presented by Death of Classical, at L'Alliance's Florence Gould Theater, followed by a post-show salon experience at Freeman's | Hindman Auction Town House.

Both Versailles in New York events are part of their larger first-ever North American Tour since being founded by Louis XV in 1770, which will also include performances at Festival Napa Valley, as well as Montreal and Toronto. The Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra’s US debut performances are made possible through a generous gift from Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, proprietors of Bouchaine Vineyards.

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