Rameau: Hippolyte et Aricie

Enter the elegant world of French Baroque opera with a mythic drama of impossible love, presented by the effervescent Les Talens Lyriques led by Christophe Rousset.

Hippolyte et Aricie was Rameau’s first opera, premiering when he was 50 years old. Its bold harmonies and innovative orchestration caused a furore among opera fans on its 1733 premiere - this 1757 revised version goes even further.

Queen Phèdre has fallen in love with her stepson Hippolyte, who is devoted to his young sweetheart Aricie. When she hears of the death of her husband, Thésée, Phèdre confesses her love to Hippolyte, whose rejection prompts her to attempt suicide. Thésée returns from the Underworld and misinterprets the scene, unleashing on Hippolyte the anger of the gods. But luckily, the heavens are on Hippolyte’s side...

Les Talens Lyriques are Baroque enthusiasts who are passionate about bringing rare repertoire to light. They are joined by a mellifluous cast.

‘Van Mechelen sang Hippolyte in a lovely lyric tenor’ – Bachtrack

Performers:
Reinoud van Mechelen Hippolyte
Marie Lys Aricie
Aphrodite Patoulidou Phèdre
Christian Immler Thésée
Juliette Mey Diane
Neima Fischer The priestess of Diane, a sailor, a huntress & a shepherdess
Philippe Estèphe Tisiphone
Lysandre Châlon Pluton
Kieran White First Fate
Jordan Mouaïssia Mercure, Second Fate
Adrien Fournaison Third Fate
Namur Chamber Choir
Thibaut Lenaerts chorusmaster
Les Talens Lyriques
Christophe Rousset conductor