Persee

Composer: Lully, Jean-Baptiste

Librettist/Text Author: Quinault, Philippe

Libretto Source: Ovid

Conductor: Niquet, Herve

Orchestra: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

Chorus: Tafelmusik Chamber Choir

Chorus Master: Taurins, Ivars

Andromede: Lenormand, Marie

Cassiope: Novacek, Stephanie

Cephee: Laquerre, Olivier

Cyclope: Sullivan, Curtis

Euryale: Schrey, Michiel

Meduse: Laquerre, Olivier

Mercure: Ainsworth, Colin

Merope: Whicher, Monica

Persee: Auvity, Cyril

Phinee: Coulombe, Alain

Stenone: Sullivan, Curtis

Un Triton: Sullivan, Curtis

Une Nymphe guerriere: Vitols, Vilma

Venus: Vitols, Vilma

Set Designer: Gauci, Gerard

Costume Designer: Gauci, Gerard

Costume Designer: Zingg, Jeannette

Stage Director: Pynkoski, Marshall

Television Director: Stone, Marc

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Date of Production: 28-04-2004

Venue: Elgin Theatre, Toronto

Playing Time: 02:07:00

Catalogue Number: EuroArts5417

UPC: 0880242541789

Synopsis

Persee

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In his position as the king's composer, Jean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) created the opera Persée for Louis XIV. The opera was considered the crowning achievement of 17th century French music theatre and was widely recognized as Lully's greatest work. Filled with dancing, fight scenes, monsters and special effects, this truly spectacular music drama recounts the thrilling story of Perseus, son of Zeus and heroic vanquisher of the snake-haired Gorgon Medusa. More than half a century after its premiere, Louis XV chose "Persée" to open the new Royal Opera House at the Chateau de Versailles, an event that formed part of the celebrations for the future Louis XVI's marriage to Marie Antoinette. Recorded live at the Elgin Theatre, Toronto in April 2004, this staging is a dazzling spectacle of gods and goddesses, dancing scenes, flying machines and monsters with fight scenes and special effects inspired by designs from the original 17th century performance. The excellent singer-actors and the "Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir" are leading specialists in early music.