Death of Classical: Versailles in New York
Photo Credit: Kevin Condon.
On July 21, 2025, Death of Classical and Festival Napa Valley presented 'Versailles in Printemps: the Affair of Poisons.' Held at the newly-opened Printemps department store at 1 World Trade in New York City, the evening was an immersive experience comprised of various performances stationed throughout the venue, and featured the New York premiere of the Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra.
Curated and directed by DoC founder Andrew Ousley, the event was styled after the brief period of Louis XIV's reign by the same name, marked by a five-year murder scandal involving vials of poison, accusations of witchcraft, and the execution of nearly 40 people. Having been to a number of events at crypts and cemeteries at the behest of Ousley, I knew this would be a darkly unique experience, and what ensued more than succeeded in that regard.
Upon entering, guests were situated 20 at a time by the greeter, played by Brian Taylor Goldstein, whose courtly panache easily pulled them into the evening's dramatic circumstances, before sending them upstairs for the festivities. The party itself proved quite the happening scene, with patrons decked out in all manner of costume as they mingled about the floor; various cages of lily buds held performers such as a ballet dancer, a gymnast, a woman balancing on bottles, and much more. Walking about, one could hear the cocktail chatter of guests interspersed with bits of juicy background and intrigue from the actors, adding a charming layer of drama to the reception portion.
Photo Credit: Kevin Condon.
The concert portion was opened with introductory remarks from Ousley before turning the floor to Tatiana Copeland of Bouchaine Vineyard, who provided an effervescent insight into the experience of sponsoring and presenting the Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra at Festival Napa Valley, before the endeavor of bringing them to New York City.
The concert itself was a highly-spirited affair. Led by conductor and violinist Stefan Plewniak, the orchestra was joined by guest artist and countertenor Franco Fagioli for a number of exciting selections, including the 'Sinfonia' from Rossini's 'Tancredi', Pierre Rode's 'Concerto for violin No.1 Final Polonaise', and 'Ecco mi al fine in Babilonia... Ah quel giorno ognor rammento' from Rossini's 'Semiramide.' The program carried with tremendous energy and artistic flair under Plewniak's lead, immediately plunging the audience into the kind of musical atmosphere one could expect to find in the court of Versailles, with the tutti strings being expounded with sensational impact. Fagioli's rendition saw him balance elegant phrasing with dulcet tones, and measured yet impassioned coloratura, showing full well the reason why countertenors were the rock stars of their day.
Versailles Royal Opera orchestra and Franco Fagioli. Photo credit: Kevin Condon.
The remainder of the evening saw patrons enjoy a number of debaucherous activities on the upper and lowers levels; the corridor featured music from viola de gamba player Adam Young, with the boudoir showcasing soprano Ariadne Greif joined by theorbist Dušan Balarin. After passing by the tent which held tarot and palm readings, I found the Black Mass portion of the event where in the devil-red lighting of the lower level were performers such as a candelabra balancer and sword swallower from Company XIV, backed by instrumental selections from various operatic composers and played by The Coup d'Etat Quartet. Heading this sordid affair was drag opera artist Creatine Price, who displayed a clear and robust tenor able to soar over the music and cocktail chatter for selections such as the Habañera from 'Carmen' and more. I'll note that as Price drew near for what I thought was a mid-aria toast, my wine glass was instead spiked with what a patron assured me was merely grape drink, and it was, sparing me the fate of the actor I found dead upstairs, presumably poisoned, minutes earlier.
Adam Young and Ariadne Greif. Photo Credit: Kevin Condon
Creatine Price. Photo Credit: Kevin Condon.
With my electrolyte levels slightly replenished, the rest of the night passed in this manner as guests enjoyed small treats and macarons designed by Gregory Gourdet, and festivities wound down to their inevitable conclusion. In all, the event was not only a stunning introduction to the artististry of the Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra, but a splendid aperitif to their following concert at L'Alliance the next evening. While an unconventional choice of venue in Printemps, the upscale department store nonetheless briefly became as immersive as the famed French court, and I'd be hard-pressed to name a company that can pull off such a thing as well as Death of Classical.
-written by Logan Martell