Rossini composed The Voyage to Rheims for a special occasion: the coronation of the French King Charles X. The opera may have been meant to convey a message of international friendship, and the music of the many characters sometimes conveys their nationalities, as well.
The action takes place at a spa hotel named for the symbol of French royalty: the Golden Lily. As PART ONE begins, guests from all over Europe are gathering at the hotel. When everyone has arrived, the plan is to form a multinational delegation to attend the king's coronation, held by tradition in the city of Rheims.
The innkeeper, Madame Cortese, has made meticulous preparations. Don Prudenzio, the preening house doctor, even inspects the day's meals to make sure everything is ready.
Among the first arrivals is the Countess of Folleville. She's determined to attend the coronation dressed in all the latest fashions. But her cousin Don Luigino brings bad news. The coach carrying her wardrobe has overturned, and everything was ruined. The countess launches into a sort of mock tragic aria, but things look up when a servant arrives carrying one luxurious hat that survived the wreckage.
Others on the scene include the music-loving Baron Trombonok, who has been designated as the trip's treasurer. There's also Don Profondo, an observant antiquarian. And before long, a complete love-triangle arrives: a ravishing Polish Marquise named Melibea, and two men who are both in love with her: Don Alvaro, a Spanish admiral, and the Russian general Count Liebenskof.
As the two men eye each other warily, and the mood is tense. Liebenskof is notorious for his jealousy, and it seems the only way to settle things is with a duel. But just as their confrontation reaches the boiling point, another guest chimes in. She's Corinna, a famous Russian poet. From inside the hotel, she's heard singing an improvised ode, describing a golden age of peace and brotherly love. Her song has a calming influence, and wiser heads prevail.
At the start of PART TWO, the innkeeper, Madame Cortese has a problem. If her guests are to continue on to Rheims, they'll need horses. She has made all the right arrangements, but no horses have yet arrived, and she wonders what's become of them. She also worries about her English guest, Lord Sydney. He's in love with Corinna — but he's kept those feelings to himself, secretly leaving flowers at her door.
Don Profondo pursues his passion for antiquities with the Englishman Lord Sydney, and then with Corinna and her Greek companion, Delia. Meanwhile, Chevalier Belfiore tries to further his reputation as a ladies' man. He claims the Countess Folleville among his previous conquests, and now he's trying his charms on Corinna — who turns him down cold. The Countess takes Belfiore's latest foray in stride, while Profondo watches in amusement.
Then comes the bad news. The guests are eager to continue their journey, but they have no horsepower. Every horse in the region has already been bought or hired for the coronation. As everyone wonders what to do next, Madame Cortese produces a letter from her husband. He's in Paris and describes the city's lavish preparations to celebrate the new king. Madame Cortese invites everyone to her Parisian home for the festivities. They all agree, and decide to leave for the city on the very next coach.
But in PART THREE, even heading for Paris proves problematic. It's approaching dinnertime, and there's no coach until tomorrow morning. No problem, the guests decide, they'll pool their traveling money for a grand banquet right where they are.
But there's still one sour note. Melibea, the ravishing Polish Marquise, has chosen Count Liebenskof over his rival, Don Alvaro. But now, Melibea and the Count are having a lovers' quarrel. Baron Trombonok intercedes. He says that if everyone is going to enjoy their evening, the two will simply have to kiss and make up. Melibea is reluctant, but a tender appeal from the Count wins her over for good.
That night, the Golden Lily's gardens are lit up, and the table is laid. The guests sit down to dinner, entertained by dancers and strolling musicians. The Baron proposes a round of toasts to the royal family, and each guest responds with music in his or her own national style. Then, accompanied by a harp, Corinna improvises a brand new poem and they all respond in a festive, final chorus.
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