TRAGÉDIE LYRIQUE IN ONE PROLOGUE AND FIVE ACTS
Libretto by Philippe Quinault
At the court of the Sun King all the available art forms were expected to join together in praise of the monarchy: in the tragédies lyriques song, poetry, dance and spectacular sets merged to form an artistic synthesis. At the premiere of Thésée, for example, flying demons or an enchanted banquet not only became highlights of the action on stage but were above all transformed into an acoustically spectacular experience by Jean-Baptiste Lully’s colourful music. The varied score features virtuoso trumpet fanfares, but also ardent poetry: the perfect piece for Christophe Rousset and his ensemble Les Talens Lyriques. The plot centres on the war hero Theseus who, however, finds himself embroiled not so much in military conflicts but romantic ones with Princess Aegle and the sorceress Medea.
Concert performance
In French with German surtitles
Introduction to the work 30 minutes before the performance
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