La marquise de Brinvilliers (opera)

La marquise de Brinvilliers is an opera in three acts by Émile Paladilhe, with a libretto by Eugène Capendu and Ernest Blum. It premiered on 31 January 1881 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris.

The opera is based on the life of Marie-Madeleine d'Aubray, marquise de Brinvilliers, a 17th-century French aristocrat who was convicted of poisoning her father and two brothers in order to inherit their wealth. Her crimes and subsequent trial captivated the French public and have inspired numerous works of art and literature.

Paladilhe's opera is a dramatic retelling of Brinvilliers' story, focusing on her motivations, her crimes, and her ultimate downfall. The music is in the style of French grand opera, featuring elaborate ensembles, soaring arias, and dramatic orchestral writing. The opera was initially well-received but did not remain in the standard repertoire.