Umberto Giordanos Andrea Chénier (1896) presents a fictionalized account of the last years of the French poet André Chénier, guillotined during the Reign of Terror in 1794. It is the greatest of Giordanos operas, and shows why Puccini sometimes feared Giordano as a rival. Taking the starring role of Chénier, with its three marvellous arias, is Jonas Kaufmann, Dutch soprano Eva Maria Westbroek sings the role of Chéniers beloved Maddalena and Serbian baritone Željko Lucic stars as Carlo Gérard – the servant-turned-revolutionary who is Chéniers rival for the love of Maddalena. Director David McVicar brings Giordanos thrilling historical drama back to the Royal Opera House for the first time since 1985 in a stunning new production.