Opéra National de Paris: Castor et Pollux by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Synopsis
A return to its roots for Castor et Pollux, Jean-Philippe Rameauâs lyric tragedy first performed in 1737 at the AcadĂ©mie royale and inspired by the mythological episode of the Gemini. Rarely performed in its original version â the score was reworked by Rameau himself in 1754 â, this daring work plays on contrasts and expressiveness, as in the famous âTristes apprĂȘtsâ. The aria is sung by TĂ©laĂŻre mourning the death of her fiancĂ© 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?
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in United States.
Top cast
Jeanine De Bique
TĂ©laĂŻre
Reinoud van Mechelen
Castor
Marc Mauillon
Pollux
Stéphanie d'Oustrac
Phébé
Claire Antoine
Minerve, Une Suivante dâHĂ©bĂ©
Laurence Kilsby
LâAmour, Le Grand-PrĂȘtre, un AthlĂšte
Natalia Smirnova
VĂ©nus, une ombre heureuse
Nicholas Newton
Mars, Jupiter, un athlĂšte
Teodor Currentzis
Self â Conductor
