Name: Médée
Start: 2011-09-06T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2011-09-22T00:00:00.000Z
Location: La Monnaie

Organization

Conductor

Christophe Rousset

Soprano

Nadja Michael

Medea

Tenor

Kurt Streit

Giasone

Contralto

Christianne Stotijn

Neris

Bass

Vincent Le Texier

King Creon

Hendrickje Van Kerckhove

Glauke

Gaëlle Arquez

1. Handmaiden

Anne-Fleur Inizian

2. Handmaiden

Stage director

Krzysztof Warlikowski

Set designer

Małgorzata Szczęśniak

Costume designer

Video designer

Denis Guéguin

Lighting designer

Felice Ross

Choreographer

Saar Magal

Chorus master

Stephen Betteridge

Dramaturge

Christian Longchamp

Miron Hakenbeck

La Monnaie/De Munt

Médée -  (Medea)

Brussels

Belgium

La Monnaie

Grande Salle

Médée by L. Cherubini, from La Monnaie, 2011. Director Krzysztof Warlikowski, conductor Christophe Rousset, starring Nadja Michael, Christianne Stotijn, Vincent Le Texier, Kurt Streit, Hendricke Van Kerckhova,Gaëlle Arquez and Anne-Fleur Inizan. Performed in French and Subtitled in English and French.

Eclipsed in popularity for decades by its Italian translation, the original French libretto to Cherubini's masterpiece has recently found renewed favor with opera companies around the world. An eclectic vision of Médée, an opéra comique in three acts with both spoken dialogue and arias, is presented here by the visionary stage director Krzysztof Warlikowski. Atop a narrative framework set in Ancient Greece and inspired by the famous tragedy of Euripedes, 1960s-era videos, music, and costumes flesh out a set of strikingly contemporary characters on the Brussels stage.

The impeccable interpretation of the score by Les Talens Lyriques, under the baton of Christophe Rousset, nonetheless keeps us firmly ensconced in the beguiling musical ambiance envisioned by Cherubini. The expressive Nadja Michael shines in the title role, as does Kurt Streit playing Jason, newly back from his quest for the golden fleece. The Greek hero, who spurned Medea's advances during his return trip home, falls in love with Dircé, daughter of King Creon. Their wedding preparations are going well and the royal subjects are rejoicing—but nobody is prepared for the return of the cruel Medea, who has vowed to exact vengeance on her erstwhile lover and all those he holds dear...

Médée Cherubini

Public

Approved

Production booklet

Further reading