Countertenor Dominique Visse is back on stage of the Opéra Comique (Paris) for the very rare Ercole Amante (Hercules in love) by F. Cavalli, from 4 to 12 November 2019. This production will then be performed again at the Opéra royal de Versailles on 23 and 24 November 2019.
The beauty of this rare piece is displayed by Raphaël Pichon and an ideal cast. Valérie Lesort and Christian Hecq give the Baroque the freshness and fantasy that made the success of their Domino noir in 2018.
Hercules loves young Iole but is married to Dejanira. Besides, Iole is also loved by their son Hyllus. Venus, who favors love, or Juno, who protects fidelity, who will win?
Hercules in love or love allied to seduction. No more flattering a subject could have been chosen to celebrate the wedding of young Louis XIV and the Infanta of Spain. Mazarin mobilized the best Italian artists for this opera in order to spread the image of an irresistible monarchy. Opera was still an Italian art form and prolific Cavalli was its best representative since Monteverdi’s death.
The work mingles bigwigs with mythology, emotions with natural and cosmic phenomena. The result, a court ballet, a machine piece and an opera, is perfectly sumptuous and baroque. Sung in Italian, Ercole amante was hardly understood at the time, and yet it was to inspire a young ballet master named Lully.
Among Dominique Visse 's other projects this season, this time as a conductor, are the concerts with La Grande Écurie and the Chambre du Roy, with whom he will conduct "Marc-Antoine Charpentier" programs: first with the magnificent Midnight Mass in December 2019, then with La Passion et la Résurrection du Christ, in April 2020.
© photo : Antonella Spaccini
Opéra Comique : from 4 to 12 November 2019
Opéra royal de Versailles : 23 and 24 November 2019
La Messe de minuit, M.A. Charpentier
Église du Sacré Cœur (Marcq en Barœul)
La Passion et la Résurrection du Christ, M.A. Charpentier
