Paula Monti; or, The Hôtel Lambert

In the glittering night of a Parisian opera‑ball, 1837 swirls with glittering gowns, masked laughter, and a chorus of gossip that feels both timeless and daring. A quick‑witted lady in domino, a nervous young gentleman named Fierval, and the charismatic Brévannes mingle among aristocrats, trading barbed compliments and rumors about the elusive Princess de Hansfeld. Their banter reveals a world where appearances mask ambitions, and every flirtation hints at deeper motives.

The story follows these lively interlocutors as they navigate the glittering yet treacherous halls of high society, from the crowded crush‑room to the distant Hôtel Lambert that looms over their intrigues. Listeners will be drawn into a portrait of France on the brink of modernity, where love, jealousy, and the pursuit of status collide with razor‑sharp humor. As the night unfolds, the characters’ flirtations set the stage for a tangled web of secrets that promises to keep the audience guessing.