Opera

Platée

Jean-Philippe Rameau

Jean-Philippe Rameau’s ballet-opera »Platée« is one of the most unusual works of musical theatre from the 18th century. First performed in 1745, the comedy tells the story of the nymph Platée, who believes that every man is destined to fall in love with her immediately.

Platée’s thirst for love is exploited by Jupiter, the king of the gods: To convince his own wife Juno of his fidelity, he stages an absurd wedding with the nymph from the marsh. In »Platée«, Rameau parodies the traditions of French baroque opera while at the same time presenting the courtly society of his time as an assortment of unscrupulous opportunists. Featuring some highly evocative passages, intoxicating dances and unusual musical effects, this is one of the composer’s greatest works. The production staged by star tenor Rolando Villazón was the first time »Platée« appeared in the Semperoper. The French baroque ensemble »Les Arts Florissants« is conducted by Paul Agnew, who himself has sung the role of Platée on numerous occasions.

Ballet bouffon in a prologue and three acts

Text by Adrien-Joseph Le Valois d’Orville

Performed in French with German and English supertitles

Premiere
6. April 2019,

No further performances in the current season.

Premiere cast

Choreography Philippe Giraudeau
Choir Jonathan Becker, Cornelius Volke
Conductor Paul Agnew
Staging Rolando Villazón
Set Design Harald Thor
Costume Design Susanne Hubrich
Lighting Design Davy Cunningham
Dramaturgy Kai Weßler
Cithéron / Satyr Ilya Silchuk, Evan Hughes
Thespis / Mercure Moritz Kallenberg, Mark Milhofer
Thalie / Clarine Alice Rossi, Iulia Maria Dan
La Folie Inga Kalna, N.N.
Amour Katerina von Bennigsen, Tania Lorenzo Castro
1. Mänade Katharina Flade, Anja Fidelia Ulrich
2. Mänade Rahel Haar, Hyunduk Na
Junon Ute Selbig
Momus Sebastian Wartig
Platée Philippe Talbot
Jupiter Andreas Wolf

Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden