Donizetti's La fille du régiment

Juan Diego Flórez stars as Tonio in Laurent Pelly's acclaimed production of Donizetti's La fille du régiment. Raised by a regiment of French soldiers, the spirited Marie has grown up among military routines, comradeship and adventure. But when she falls in love with the Tyrolean villager Tonio, her future is thrown into turmoil by unexpected revelations about her past and the demands of high society.

Written for Paris in 1840, La fille du régiment is one of Donizetti's most loved operas, combining dazzling bel canto virtuosity with warmth, humour and genuine emotional depth. The opera features some of the composer's most memorable music, including Tonio's famous aria with its celebrated nine high Cs.

Sara Blanch stars as Marie, with Juan Diego Flórez as Tonio, Sonia Ganassi as the Marquise de Berkenfield and Paolo Bordogna as Sergeant Sulpice. Award-winning actor Tamsin Greig makes her Royal Opera debut as the Duchesse de Crakentorp. The Chorus and Orchestra of The Royal Opera are conducted by Yves Abel.

Georgia Mann presents and is joined by opera expert Roger Parker. Recorded at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, in July 2026.

Gaetano Donizetti: La fille du régiment

Marie ..... Sara Blanch (soprano)
Tonio ..... Juan Diego Flórez (tenor)
Sulpice ..... Paolo Bordogna (baritone)
Marquise de Berkenfield ..... Sonia Ganassi (mezzo-soprano)
Hortensius ..... Donald Maxwell (baritone)
Duchesse de Crakentorp ..... Tamsin Greig (actor)
Corporal ..... Eugene Dillon-Hooper (bass)
Peasant ..... Luke Price (tenor)

Chorus and Orchestra of The Royal Opera
Yves Abel (conductor)