Louise is an opera in four acts by Gustave Charpentier to an original French libretto by the composer, with some contributions by Saint-Pol-Roux, a symbolist poet and inspiration of the surrealists.

The opera depicts Parisian working-class life. However the city itself is in many ways the true star of this very atmospheric work - invoked at various points during the opera. A French example of verismo opera, it tells the story of the love between Louise, a seamstress living with her parents in Paris, and Julien, a young artist. It is the story of a young girl's desire for freedom associated in her mind with her lover and the city of Paris.

Charpentier later wrote a sequel to Louise, the opera Julien, which describes the artistic aspirations of Louise’s suitor but was not well received. 

Cast:

Louise – Ileana Cotrubas

Julien – Placido Domingo

The Mother - Jane Berbie

The Father - Gabriel Bacquier

Georges Pretre – conductor

Recorded 1976