The Trojans at the Théâtre du Châtelet
A Masterpiece by Hector Berlioz Revived – With Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Cast
Program notes
Les Troyens, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner at the Théâtre du Châtelet in 2003, returned to mark the 200th anniversary of the composer, a highly acclaimed production that offers a revival in the masterpiece of Berlioz.
"Berlioz was the person who understood how orchestras became great," said John Eliot Gardiner: this production of The Trojans is a real revival because for the first time, the conductor mobilizes all period instruments desired by the composer.
The production is enhanced by a casting choice to give a musical performance great distinction: American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham who sang the role of Dido, Italian soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci in the role of Cassandra and the American tenor Gregory Kunde playing Aeneas.
In this "perfect marriage of text and music," the singers expressed poignantly all characters of pathos that spring (madness, despair...)