Palais Garnier, Paris © Photo: Christian Leiber Castor et Pollux: Paris Opera
Paris, Palais Garnier
About the Event
Castor et Pollux, Jean‐Philippe Rameau’s lyric tragedy first performed in 1737 at the Académie royale and inspired by the mythological episode of the Gemini. Rarely performed in its original version – the score was reworked by Rameau himself in 1754 –, this daring work plays on contrasts and expressiveness, as in the famous “Tristes apprêts”. The aria is sung by Télaïre mourning the death of her fiancé Castor, killed in battle, before her twin brother Pollux descends into the Underworld to ask his father, Jupiter, to bring him back to life.
While this opera celebrates brotherly love, its prologue poses an essential question for director Peter Sellars: how do you stop a war and its attendant hatred and resentment?
Cast / Production
Jean‐Philippe Rameau: Music
Pierre‐Joseph Bernard: Libretto
Teodor Currentzis: Conductor
Vitaly Polonsky: Chorus master
Peter Sellars: Director
Camille Assaf: Costume design
James F. Ingalls: Lighting design
Alex MacInnis: Video
Antonio Cuenca Ruiz: Dramaturgy
Orchestre et Chœur Utopia
Cast
Jeanine De Bique
Télaïre
Stéphanie d’Oustrac
Phébé
Reinoud Van Mechelen
Castor
Marc Mauillon
Pollux
Claire Antoine
Minerve, Une Suivante d’Hébé
Laurence Kilsby
L’Amour, Le Grand‐Prêtre, l’Athlète
Address
Palais Garnier, 8, rue du Scribe, Paris, France — Google Maps
