The Exiles

Set on the mist‑shrouded banks of the Seine in 1308, the story opens in a modest, newly‑built house perched on an island that will one day become the Île Saint‑Louis. The constable Joseph Tirechair, a man of stern reputation, has turned his official duties into a comfortable home filled with fine tapestries, polished wood, and a view of Notre‑Dame’s looming silhouette. Through vivid details of the garden, the bustling river traffic, and the quiet rhythm of daily life, listeners are immersed in a medieval Paris that feels both grand and intimate.

When Tirechair returns one April evening in a furious mood, his anger hints at a deeper conflict brewing beneath the surface of his orderly world. The narrative invites listeners to follow the constable’s struggle to restore his sense of purpose while the quiet streets and riverbanks hold secrets that may upend his carefully crafted existence. The first act sets a tone of tension and anticipation, promising a tale where personal duty clashes with the unseen currents of the city.