The plot is similar to that of SALOME: an Egyptian hetaera puts the aesthetic ideal of the monk Athanaël to the test. With the promise of eternal life he is able to lead the beautiful woman on the Christian path of virtue – only to discover that he himself nurtures anything but innocent feelings for the converted courtesan. The Egyptian exoticism and the (in)famous dance scene at the end of the first act, in which Thaïs seductively bares all, gave this work, originally performed in 1894, its scandalous reputation. Yet despite the great success of the revised second version, THAIS could not be included in the repertoire: the extreme vocal requirements prove difficult to cast for even large opera houses to this day. The lead role of Thaïs herself is considered one of the most demanding soprano roles in opera history, in which only exceptional talents shine unscathed.

Young Australian soprano Nicole Car is one of the most important singers of her generation. With her equally moving and virtuosic interpretation of Fiordiligi in COSI FAN TUTTE, or as Tatyana in EUGENE ONEGIN, she has been able to confirm her reputation time and again at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. It is thus no surprise that the extreme role of Thaïs is already in her proven repertoire. Her husband Etienne Dupuis in the role of Athanaël may find it all the easier to fall in love with the beautiful hetaera. The concert performances by Massenet's master singing work will be conducted by young Australian Nicholas Carter, who began his international career at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.