The Operetta

Zemire, composed by Dikran Tchouhadjian, is the last grand scale operatic work of the composer. After many years of hiding, this illusory operatic production will be revealed once again since its last performance over one hundred fifteen years ago.

Originally titled "Eboudia e Zemire", Zemire was first performed in Turkish with French dialogue in April 1891, at the Theatre Français "Concordia" in Pera, Bey Oghlou, by Mme. Benatti's French company. A few years later it had been translated into Italian in preparation for a European premiere.

The operetta, denoted as semiseria (semi-serious), is a fanciful affair with parading mythical creatures and an all-powerful grand wizard, who usurps the power of Mother Nature and the imposed hierarchies of influential families with a sip of enchanted water which ultimately bonds the main characters together in an exciting romance.

We hope that you will come and be swept away by the luscious Arabian Nights- like setting and beautiful melodies. Who knows? Perhaps you too will have a chance to drink from the magical love elixir!