
Opéra National de Paris: Castor et Pollux by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Music · Drama
Overview
A return to its roots for 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 his 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?
Top Cast


Jeanine De Bique
Jeanine De Bique
Télaïre
Jeanine De Bique
Télaïre


Reinoud van Mechelen
Reinoud van Mechelen
Castor
Reinoud van Mechelen
Castor


Marc Mauillon
Marc Mauillon
Pollux
Marc Mauillon
Pollux


Stéphanie d'Oustrac
Stéphanie d'Oustrac
Phébé
Stéphanie d'Oustrac
Phébé


Claire Antoine
Claire Antoine
Minerve, Une Suivante d’Hébé
Claire Antoine
Minerve, Une Suivante d’Hébé


Laurence Kilsby
Laurence Kilsby
L’Amour, Le Grand-Prêtre, un Athlète
Laurence Kilsby
L’Amour, Le Grand-Prêtre, un Athlète


Natalia Smirnova
Natalia Smirnova
Vénus, une ombre heureuse
Natalia Smirnova
Vénus, une ombre heureuse


Nicholas Newton
Nicholas Newton
Mars, Jupiter, un athlète
Nicholas Newton
Mars, Jupiter, un athlète


Teodor Currentzis
Teodor Currentzis
Self – Conductor
Teodor Currentzis
Self – Conductor
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