Cavalli's Ercole Amante Revived at Opéra Comique in Paris
From November 4 to 12, 2019, the Opéra Comique in Paris brought back Francesco Cavalli's 1662 opera 'Ercole Amante,' with additional shows at the Opéra Royal de Versailles on November 23 and 24. The production, directed by Valérie Lesort and Christian Hecq, and conducted by Raphaël Pichon, merges elements of Georges Méliès and George Romero into a captivating spectacle. The cast features Nahuel Di Pierro as Ercole, Giulia Semanzato in the roles of Bellezza and Venere, Anna Bonitatibus as Giunone, and Giuseppina Bridelli as Deianire. A live broadcast of the revival took place on Arte Concert on November 12, 2019, with plans for another performance at the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux in 2021.
Key facts
- Francesco Cavalli's 'Ercole Amante' was revived at Opéra Comique, Paris from November 4-12, 2019.
- The production was directed by Valérie Lesort and Christian Hecq, conducted by Raphaël Pichon.
- The opera originally failed in 1662 due to sabotage by Jean-Baptiste Lully.
- Lully inserted a grand ballet that overshadowed Cavalli's opera during its premiere.
- The revival uses a literal approach to the libretto, staging fantastical elements like Sleep as a Michelin Bibendum and Venus in a carnival airplane.
- Key performers include Nahuel Di Pierro (Ercole), Giulia Semanzato (Bellezza/Venere), Anna Bonitatibus (Giunone), and Giuseppina Bridelli (Deianire).
- The Pygmalion orchestra performed under Raphaël Pichon's direction.
- The opera was originally commissioned for the marriage of Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse.
- After Cavalli's failure, Lully created 'Cadmus et Hermione' (1673) based on 'Ercole Amante'.
- The revival was broadcast live on Arte Concert on November 12, 2019.
- A revival at Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is scheduled for 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Francesco Cavalli
- Valérie Lesort
- Christian Hecq
- Raphaël Pichon
- Nahuel Di Pierro
- Giulia Semanzato
- Anna Bonitatibus
- Giuseppina Bridelli
- Luca Tittoto
- Dominique Visse
- Eugénie Lefebvre
- Ray Chenez
- Krystian Adam
- Francesco Buti
- Jean-Baptiste Lully
- Louis XIV
- Marie-Thérèse
- Anne d'Autriche
- Mazarin
- Vigarani
- George Romero
- Georges Méliès
- Jules Verne
- Monteverdi
Institutions
- Opéra Comique
- Opéra Royal de Versailles
- Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux
- Arte Concert
- Palais des Tuileries
- Pygmalion
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Versailles
- Florence
- Italy
- Venice
- Bordeaux
Sources
- artpress —