Jean-Pierre Barbero, director of the Villa Masséna, takes to the stage to star in "L'Auberge du cheval blanc" in Nice.

What do our city officials and councillors do on vacation? Some head off to lands fringed by warm seas, while others seek refreshment in the fresh air of alpine forests. Jean-Pierre Barbero, the director of Villa Masséna, has chosen... to become emperor!

And not just any emperor: Franz Joseph himself. The husband of the legendary Sissi. Dressed in a costume sewn in Milan, he will assume this imperial role in the famous operetta The White Horse Inn , which will be presented this Thursday, July 31, at 8:30 p.m., at the Théâtre de Verdun.

In this story, the emperor arrives in the heart of an Austrian inn and, from the height of his wisdom, restores order to the romantic conflicts that arise there.

"You will be my emperor"

How did Jean-Pierre Barbero end up in this role? During a casual conversation a few months ago with the show's artistic director, Melcha Coder.

He says that more than 40 years ago, when he was a simple extra at the Nice Opera, he played the role of the baggage porter in this same operetta. And he confides that one day becoming the emperor in this same show would be for him the symbol of an accomplished career. "You will be my emperor," the director immediately tells him.

And that's how Jean-Pierre Barbero became an emperor of operetta, within a professional troupe. It features Pauline Descamps, Rémi Mathieu, Priscilla Beyrand, Sabrina Colomb, Frédéric Diquero, Richard Rittelman, Thierry Delaunay, and Didier Veschi.

A joyful cohort guided by the baton of Sébastien Driant and the staging of Serge Manguette.

Prices: 10 and 25 euros, on site, the evening of the performance.