Since 2004, baroque music has held a privileged place in the programming of the Lille Opera, thanks to the presence in residence of Emmanuelle Haïm and her ensemble, le Concert d’Astree. After the Nozze di Figaro in 2008, Emmanuelle Haïm returns to French baroque opera, one of her favortie repertoires, with DARDANUS by Rameau.

In an invented age of antiquity, King Teucer has a daughter, Iphise, and an enemy, Dardanus. The latter two are in love, but the rivalry between Teucer and Dardanus makes this love impossible and so it is kept secret. Iphise is promised to Prince Antenor, according to the wishes of his father. Fortunately, the intervention of the magician Ismenor and a heroic battle with a monster allows Love to triumph at last! An epic fantasy, this opera calls upon significant artistic forces: soloists, choir and dancers gather for an array of scenes ranging from the brilliant (festivals of antiquity) and mysterious (the magician’s grotto) to the heroic (the fight between Dardanus and the monster).

Opera and theatre director Claude Buchwald has a passion for the French language and the great tragedies of the 18th century. Her collaboration with Emmanuelle Haïm, known for her commitment to theatrical drama and faithfulness to the text, promises wonderful artistic synergies. To realise this production, she has brought on board the choreographer Daniel Larrieu. A leader in modern dance since the 1980s, he loves to juxtapose poetic and crystalline dance with the unexpected. With no less than an hour of ballet, DARDANUS is a challenge worthy of his talents.

The cast, chosen in close collaboration with Emmanuelle Haïm, brings together young international artists who are all masters of the baroque idiom, and that of Rameau in particular.

This new production, of a work that has not been presented on the stage since 1980, is without doubt one of the high points of the musical season.

Lyric tragedy in five acts. Libretto by Charles Antoine Le Clerc de la Bruère.
Created on 19 November 1739 at the Academie Royale de Musique in Paris.

Musical Direction Emmanuelle Haïm
Stage Direction Claude Buchvald
Choreography Daniel Larrieu
Sets Alexandre de Dardel
Costumes Corine Petitpierre
Lights Joël Hourbeigt
Assistante to the stage director Sophie Petit

With
Anders J. Dahlin Dardanus
Ingrid Perruche Iphise
Trevor Scheunemann Anténor
François Lis Teucer
Andrew Foster-Williams Isménor
Sonya Yoncheva Vénus, Une Bergère
Marie-Bénédicte Souquet Amour

Dancers

Jérôme Andrieu
Jonas Chereau
Agnès Coutard
Olivier Deronzier
Adrien Dantou
Christine Jouve
Anne Laurent
Judith Perron

Le Concert d’Astrée Orchestra & Choir, ensemble in residence at the Lille Opera.

Société Générale Patronage Musicale is principal patron of le Concert d’Astree. 
Le Concert d’Astree, ensemble in residence at the Lille Opera, benefits from support from the Ministry of Culture and Communication – DRAC Nord-Pas de Calais.

With the patronage of Rabot Dutilleul.

Happy Times Dardanus

In parallel with the Dardanus performances, the Lille Opera is inaugurating its Happy Times, moments of discovery and exchange around the performances of the season. From the 17^th to the 24^th of October, seven events are open to the public designed to increase awareness of French music at the time of Rameau: numerous events with free admission and three programmes specially put together by the musicians of le Concert d’Astree.

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

4 p.m. >  6:30  p.m.
4 p.m.
FOYER Concert Tickets: 8/5€

De la plainte d’Orphée : autour de l’air de cour

Works by Sainte-Colombe, Lambert, De la Barre, Marin Marais, Rameau

Sam Nicholas Mulroy, high-counter & the Soloists of le Concert d’Astree:
Johannes Pramsohler violin, Atsushi Sakaï viola da gamba
Laura Monica Pustilnik, lute; Philippe Grisvard harpsichord

Duration: 1h

4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
STUDIO FREE ADMISSION

Choir Directing master class open to the public 
with Emmanuelle Haïm and the Choir of le Concert d’Astree
In partnership with Domaine Music, A Coeur Joie and Multiphonie.

Duration: 45 mn

5:30 p.m.
Conference
ROTUNDA FREE ADMISSION

A brief presentation on Rameau and Dardanus by Edmond Lemaitre

Duration: 1h

From 5 p.m. to 6:30  p.m.
Open visit
GRAND HALL

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SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Around 7:15 p.m.
Public Discussion
GRAND HALL FREE ADMISSION (access by the grand hall)
Discussion with Emmanuelle Haïm and Claude Buchvald following the performance of Dardanus.

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WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER

6 p.m.
FOYER
Concert Tickets: 8/5€ (access by the ticketing)

Devotional airs and motets to the Virgin mary
Le Petit Motet: Campra, Morin, Bernier, Couperin

Dorothee Leclair, Julia Wischniewski voix de dessus & the Soloists of le Concert d’Astree:

Emmanuelle Guigues, viola da gamba; Laura Monica Pustilnik, lute; Elisabeth Geiger, organ

6 p.m. Live,
public broadcast
STUDIO FREE ADMISSION (access by the ticketing)

The Magazine of France Music with Lionel Esparza,
with Emmanuelle Haïm, Daniel Larrieu and singers from the production.

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SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER

4 p.m.
FOYER
Concert Tickets: 8/5€ (access by the ticketing)

El Cid in music:Works by Charpentier, De la Barre, Lambert, D’Anglebert, Rameau

François-Nicolas Geslot tenor & the Soloists of le Concert d’Astree:

Anne-Marie Lasla, viola da gamba; Laura Monica Pustilnik, lute; Benoît Hartoin, harpsichord