Charles IX ,

For the past ten years, the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants have been tearing France apart. The Protestant prince Henri de Navarre and Marguerite de Valois, sister of the King Charles IX, have just been married. Charles IX, under the control of his mother Catherine de Médicis and influenced by the Cardinal de Lorraine and the duc de Guise, has lost all sense of judgement and has ordered the massacre of the Protestants gathered in Paris for the wedding.

Marie-Joseph Chénier writes Charles IX, ou la Saint-Barthélemy. On the eve of the Revolution, he thus sends a warning to King Louis XVI : a power that does not represent the people, that serves religious fanaticism, and that submits itself to the interests of high aristocratic families is nothing but tyranny.

F For two years, Chénier fights those he calls “inquisitors of thought” to put on his play. His tragedy is finally staged November 4, 1789 at the Theatre de la Nation. It is a great success with the public but sparks strong debate.

In the role of Charles IX, François-Joseph Talma debuts a remarkable career. However, his commitment to the Revolution divides the Troupe of the Théâtre-Français into the Reds, those in favor of the Revolution, and the Blacks, those attached to the old order. Talma and the Reds leave the Théâtre-Français and settle in the theater of the Palais-Royal, which takes the name of “Théâtre-Français de la rue de Richelieu” before becoming Théâtre de la République in September 1792.

When he publishes his play in 1790, Chénier adopts the subtitle that the public has given him : Charles IX, ou la Saint-Barthélemy becomes Charles IX, ou l’École des rois.