Category: Opera-Ballet in one prologue and three entrées
Language: French
Running times: 2h45 (including interval)
Premiered: 1739, Paris
New production: December 13th 2024, Opéra-Comique
Stage director: Robert Carsen • Set and costume designer: Gideon Davey • Lighting designer: Robert Carsen and Peter van Praet • Choreography: Nicolas Paul • Video: Renaud Rubiano
Cast
Number of Principals: 10 + 1 chorus member
Chorus / parts (Dessus/ hautes-contre/Tailles/Basse): 25 (8/4/6/7)
Extras : 12 dancers
Instrumentation
54 :
Dessus de violon I : 9
Dessus de violon II : 8
Hautes-contre : 3
Tailles de violon : 2
Basses de violon & violoncelles : 8
Basse de viole : 1
Contrebasses : 3
Traverso : 2
Hautbois : 4
Bassons : 4
Cors : 2
Trompettes : 3
Musettes : 2
Percussions : 2
Clavecin : 1
Volume of the production
Set and props : TBC
Other info
Production : Opéra-Comique
In a few words
Hebe, goddess of youth, can no longer bear Olympus and decides to taste the pleasures of humans on the banks of the Seine. In her honor, Cupid organizes three shows, each illustrating the power of youth over hearts when aided by a "lyrical talent" - poetry, music, or dance. Sappho, Iphise, and Egle are the heroines of these sung and danced episodes. The 18th-century opera-ballet aimed to be a total spectacle. With its transforming sets and plots more gallant than mythological, this creation of 1739 celebrated the virtuosity of singing and ballet, harmony, and the orchestra. Rameau displayed his genius there and won undisputed triumph.
Director of Artistic Coordination, Production and Development
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