M. Marais & L. de Lully: Alcide

Curve of the moon uit het muzikale ensemble a nocte temporis

Programma

M. Marais & L. de Lully, Alcide

Uitvoerders

Baroque ensemble:

‍a nocte temporis

Choir:

‍Choeur de Chambre de Namur

Soloists:

Reinoud Van Mechelen, Alcide and artistic direction
Gwendoline Blondeel, Iole, La Victoire
Isabelle Druet, Déjanire
Philippe Estèphe, Philocète
Sterre Decru, Testylis‍

Aurélie Moreels, Une bergère, Amour
Sean Clayton, Zéphir
Thibaut Leanerts, Un Pastre, Un habitant d’ Æcalie
Samuel Namotte, Un habitant des climats heureux
Arnaud Lion, Un guerrier, Licas, Un Prêtre

With Alcide ou la Mort d’Hercule, a nocte temporis and Reinoud Van Mechelen return to the rich world of late‑17th‑century French tragédie lyrique.

The opera premiered on 13 March 1693 to great acclaim: a collaboration between Marin Marais and Louis de Lully, son of the renowned Jean‑Baptiste Lully, set to a libretto by Campistron.

Following earlier rediscoveries such as Céphale & Procris (Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre) and Médée et Jason (J.F. Salomon), the ensemble now turns to a work once celebrated but rarely performed today. The opera recounts the tragic fate of Alcide (Hercules) and his unrequited love for Iole, in a prologue and five acts.

Marais, who served for many years as Lully’s assistant, crafted a score deeply rooted in his master’s late style:recitatives shaped by chaconne rhythms, dances, ritornellos, a mad scene, and a striking infernal act - all hallmarks of the grand French operatic tradition.

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Coproduction PerPodium

Thanks to CMBV

With the generous support of Aline Foriel-Destezet

“Alcide staat precies op het kruispunt tussen traditie en vernieuwing: een werk dat de grandeur van Lully respecteert, maar tegelijk vooruitwijst naar de meer sensuele, instrumentaal gedreven Franse barok die Marais later zou helpen vormgeven.”

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