Lully's Persée (II/II)
Marshall Pynkoski (stage director), Hervé Niquet (conductor) – With Cyril Auvity (Perseus), Marie Lenormand (Andromède) – Opera Atelier
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Cast
Marshall Pynkoski
Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg
Cyril Auvity
Alain Coulombe
Olivier Laquerre
Marie Lenormand
Stephanie Novacek
Tafelmusik Chamber Choir
Tafelmusik Chamber Orchestra
Hervé Niquet
Program notes
Composed by Jean Baptiste Lully for Louis XIV, Perseus is widely recognized as Lully's greatest creation and was considered the crowning achievement of 17th century French music theatre. Filled with dancing, fight scenes, monsters and special effects, this truly spectacular opera recounts the thrilling story of Perseus, son of Zeus and heroic vanquisher of the snake-haired Gorgon Medusa. More than half a century after it's premiere, Perseuswas chosen by Louis XV to open the new Royal Opera House at the Chateau de Versailles, in celebration of the wedding of Marie Antoinette and the future Louis XVI. Designers Gerard Gauci (sets), Dora Rust-D'Eye (costumes) and Kevin Fraser (lighting) have created a dazzling spectacle of gods and goddesses, flying machines and sea monsters inspired by designs from the original 17th century production.