The Ghosts of Versailles (1992): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1992, The Ghosts of Versailles is a music film directed by Brian Large, running about 180 minutes.

What it’s about. What happened to Figaro and his friends after the events told in Rossini’s and Mozart’s operas? One possible sequel is told in John Corigliano’s “grand opera buffa” The Ghosts of Versailles—an uproariously funny and deeply moving work inspired by Beaumarchais’s third Figaro play, La Mère Coupable, and commissioned by the Met to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This telecast captures its world premiere run, conducted by James Levine. Håkan Hagegård is Beaumarchais, Figaro’s creator, who is deeply in love with Marie Antoinette (Teresa Stratas in a heart-searing performance) and determined to rewrite history and save her from the guillotine. A young Renée Fleming, at the beginning of her international career, sings the unfaithful Rosina. Gino Quilico is the wily Figaro who tries to take matters in his own hands, and Marilyn Horne stops the show as the exotic entertainer Samira.

Who’s in it. The Ghosts of Versailles stars Teresa Stratas as Marie Antoinette, Håkan Hagegård as Beaumarchais, Gino Quilico as Figaro and Renée Fleming as Rosina, among others.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Ghosts of Versailles page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Ghosts of Versailles tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.