The Lombard composer Francesco Cavalli has a particular association with France, since his renown won for him in 1660 the commission for an opera (Ercole Amante) from Cardinal Mazarin on the occasion of the marriage of Louis XIV with Marie-Therese of Spain. Today, we only have but a few of the forty-some operas that he composed. Il rapimento d’Elena, composed in the middle of his career in 1659, was among the works long considered lost.

This ‘‘drama in music, in a prologue and three acts” is based on a myth that has transcended the ages: that of the passion of Theseus for the beautiful Helena, born of the love of Leda and Jupiter.

The Lille Opera is associated with this new production premiered at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence 2013 and conducted by Leonardo García Alarcón at the head of his Capella Mediterranea. This ensemble – among the rising new generation of specialists in Baroque music – promises a performance full of ardour, humour and vivacity. After his splendid production of Händel’s Agrippina in 2011, stage director Jean-Yves Ruf returns to Lille to present a work that had not been heard since its immense success in Venice in the 17th century.

Dramma per musica in one prologue and three acts by Francesco Cavalli (1602-1676), created in 1659, libretto by Giovanni Faustini and Niccolo Minato

Conductor, harpsichord Leonardo García Alarcón
Director Jean-Yves Ruf
Scenery Laure Pichat
Costumes Claudia Jenatsch
Lights Christian Dubet

Assistant stage Anaïs de Courson
Musical assistant, harpsichordist Ariel Rychter

With
Elena, Venere Giulia Semenzato
Menelao Kangmin Justin Kim
Teseo David Szigetvàri
Ippolita, Pallade Giuseppina Bridelli
Peritoo Rodrigo Ferreira
Iro Zachary Wilder
Menesteo, La Pace Anna Reinhold
Tindaro, Nettuno Krzysztof Baczyk
Erginda, Giunone, Castore Mariana Flores
Eurite, La Verita Majdouline Zerari
Diomede, Creonte Brendan Tuohy
Euripilo, La Discordia, Polluce Jake Arditti
Antiloco Job Tomé

Soloists of the Musical European Academy of the Festival d’Aix en Provence

Orchestra Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea

SA 5 APRIL 5:30 P.M.
CONFERENCE
ELENA OR THE REDISCOVER
OF A LOST SCORE
With Alain Perroux, dramatist at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.
Free admisison on reservation at +33(0)820 48 9000 or billetterie@opera-lille.fr