The Circulation of French Musical Theatre Towards the East

Avra Xepapadakou

The Circulation of French Musical Theatre Towards the East

Avra Xepapadakou

Department of Education

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

This paper explores the circulation and reception of French musical theatre, including opera, operetta, revue, vaudeville, café chantant, variété etc, in Eastern Europe, particularly in Greece and the Near East, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Building on the existing Italian operatic presence in the region, French troupes introduced their own brand of musical theatre and a number of various “light” music-theatrical genres, adapting to local tastes and preferences. By examining the itineraries, repertoires, and impact of these French troupes, this paper aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of cultural exchange, transmission, and reception in the region. The proposed paper will explore various aspects, such as:
• The itineraries and business practices of French troupes in Eastern Europe, Southeastern Mediterranean and the Orient
• The intersection and interaction of French and Italian musical theatre in the region
• The reception and adaptation of French musical theatre by local artists and audiences
• The impact of French musical theatre on local cultural and artistic developments

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - Feb 2026
Event	Music Mobility and Cultural Exchanges Across the Eastern Mediterranean in Modern Times - Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy Duration: 20 Mar 2026 → 23 Mar 2026

Conference

Conference	Music Mobility and Cultural Exchanges Across the Eastern Mediterranean in Modern Times
Country/Territory	Italy
City	Lecce
Period	20/03/26 → 23/03/26

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

creative industries
Nineteenth century studies
performing arts
opera studies
music
music theatre

Cite this

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title = "The Circulation of French Musical Theatre Towards the East",

abstract = "This paper explores the circulation and reception of French musical theatre, including opera, operetta, revue, vaudeville, caf{\'e} chantant, vari{\'e}t{\'e} etc, in Eastern Europe, particularly in Greece and the Near East, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Building on the existing Italian operatic presence in the region, French troupes introduced their own brand of musical theatre and a number of various “light” music-theatrical genres, adapting to local tastes and preferences. By examining the itineraries, repertoires, and impact of these French troupes, this paper aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of cultural exchange, transmission, and reception in the region. The proposed paper will explore various aspects, such as: • The itineraries and business practices of French troupes in Eastern Europe, Southeastern Mediterranean and the Orient • The intersection and interaction of French and Italian musical theatre in the region • The reception and adaptation of French musical theatre by local artists and audiences • The impact of French musical theatre on local cultural and artistic developments",

keywords = "creative industries, Nineteenth century studies, performing arts, opera studies, music, music theatre",

author = "Avra Xepapadakou",

note = "Xepapadakou, Α. «The Circulation of French Musical Theatre Towards the East», Music Mobility and Cultural Exchanges Across the Eastern Mediterranean in Modern Times. Universit{\`a} del Salento \& Conservatorio di Musica “Tito Schipa” \& R{\'e}pertoire International de Litt{\'e}rature Musicale \& Dizionario Enciclopedico Universale della Musica e dei Musicisti (DEUMM), Lecce, Italy, 20-21.02.2026.; Music Mobility and Cultural Exchanges Across the Eastern Mediterranean in Modern Times ; Conference date: 20-03-2026 Through 23-03-2026",

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N1 - Xepapadakou, Α. «The Circulation of French Musical Theatre Towards the East», Music Mobility and Cultural Exchanges Across the Eastern Mediterranean in Modern Times. Università del Salento & Conservatorio di Musica “Tito Schipa” & Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale & Dizionario Enciclopedico Universale della Musica e dei Musicisti (DEUMM), Lecce, Italy, 20-21.02.2026.

PY - 2026/2

Y1 - 2026/2

N2 - This paper explores the circulation and reception of French musical theatre, including opera, operetta, revue, vaudeville, café chantant, variété etc, in Eastern Europe, particularly in Greece and the Near East, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Building on the existing Italian operatic presence in the region, French troupes introduced their own brand of musical theatre and a number of various “light” music-theatrical genres, adapting to local tastes and preferences. By examining the itineraries, repertoires, and impact of these French troupes, this paper aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of cultural exchange, transmission, and reception in the region. The proposed paper will explore various aspects, such as: • The itineraries and business practices of French troupes in Eastern Europe, Southeastern Mediterranean and the Orient • The intersection and interaction of French and Italian musical theatre in the region • The reception and adaptation of French musical theatre by local artists and audiences • The impact of French musical theatre on local cultural and artistic developments

AB - This paper explores the circulation and reception of French musical theatre, including opera, operetta, revue, vaudeville, café chantant, variété etc, in Eastern Europe, particularly in Greece and the Near East, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Building on the existing Italian operatic presence in the region, French troupes introduced their own brand of musical theatre and a number of various “light” music-theatrical genres, adapting to local tastes and preferences. By examining the itineraries, repertoires, and impact of these French troupes, this paper aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of cultural exchange, transmission, and reception in the region. The proposed paper will explore various aspects, such as: • The itineraries and business practices of French troupes in Eastern Europe, Southeastern Mediterranean and the Orient • The intersection and interaction of French and Italian musical theatre in the region • The reception and adaptation of French musical theatre by local artists and audiences • The impact of French musical theatre on local cultural and artistic developments

KW - creative industries

KW - Nineteenth century studies

KW - performing arts

KW - opera studies

KW - music

KW - music theatre

M3 - Paper

T2 - Music Mobility and Cultural Exchanges Across the Eastern Mediterranean in Modern Times

Y2 - 20 March 2026 through 23 March 2026

ER -

The Circulation of French Musical Theatre Towards the East

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

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Cite this