Love and death: Castor et Pollux by Rameau

Hungarian harpsichordist and conductor György Vashegyi has long focused on the eighteenth century. He is an authority on Jean-Philippe Rameau. At the Matinee, he performs his successful Castor et Pollux.

Conflict of loyalties
The tragédie lyrique Castor et Pollux was extensively revised by Rameau in 1754, but in this Matinee the version of the first (Paris) performance of 1737 will be heard. The classic tale deals with the twin brothers mentioned in the title, who get into a mutual conflict of loyalties over love and death. The work is a constant alternation of exciting recitatives, swirling ballets and beautiful arias.

Rameau's most beautiful aria
Rameau's most beautiful aria ever sounds already in the first act: "Tristes apprêts," sung by the most important soprano role: that of Télaïre. Accompanied by a constantly descending melody line in the orchestra, she mourns the sudden death of her beloved Castor. There is also a breathtaking underworld scene in which Phébé, Télaïre's antagonist, mobilizes the dark powers almost like a sorceress. With his operas, Rameau laid the foundation for important developments in the second half of the eighteenth century, and his great influence reaches from Gluck to Berlioz.

This performance comes in collaboration with Orfeo Music Foundaiton and Centre de musique baroque de Versailles.
Sheet music: Opera omnia de Rameau © Bärenreiter-Verlag Kassel - Basel - London - New York City - Praha