Et in Arcadia Ego à l'Opéra Comique : un vertigineux memento mori

By Jean-Marc Piriou, 03 February 2018

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“une émotion vraie, sans aucun pathos”

Reviewed at Opéra Comique, Paris on 1 February 2018

Works by Rameau

Various, Et in Arcadia Ego

Opéra-Comique

Christophe Rousset, Conductor

Phia Ménard, Director

Éric Soyer, Set Designer

Fabrice Ilia Leroy, Costume Designer

Les Talens Lyriques

Lea Desandre, Mezzo-soprano

Chœur Les Eléments

Implacable Werther at Opéra-Comique from Pichon and Huffman

Romain Daroles, 19th January

Tight orchestral playing, minimalist stage design: the conductor and director are perfectly in tune with each other, transforming Massenet's work into an intimate and timeless drama.

****1

Opéra-Comique's Carmen brings high musical qualities to Edinburgh

Roy Westbrook, 8th August

Andreas Homoki's meta-staging in Paris' Opéra-Comique cannot detract from strong musical performances at the Edinburgh Festival, led by Gaëlle Arquez as a near-perfect Carmen.

****1

Deliciously not Disney: Zémire et Azor at Opéra Comique

David Karlin, 29th June

Grétry's mash-up of Beauty and the Beast and The Arabian Nights provides an evening of proper enchantment in Paris.

****1

Unhappy ever after: Gluck's Armide returns to Paris

David Karlin, 11th November

Excellent performances and stage direction make a good case for an opera that's on the slow side dramatically.

****1

Titon et l'Aurore: flying sheep at the Opéra Comique

Philippe Ramin, 21st January

In Basil Twist's staging of Titon et l'Aurore, William Christie shows the breadth of his talent in 18th century French repertoire, conducting an cast which excels in both main and supporting roles.

*****

Operatic magic: Ercole Amante at the Opéra Comique

Jean-Marc Piriou, 6th November

Voices, orchestra staging: everything in this Ercole Amante is light and magic, to the great delight of the Salle Favart audience.

*****

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Jean-Marc Piriou

Diplômé de l’École Centrale Paris et titulaire d’un Doctorat en Biophysique Moléculaire, Jean-Marc occupe différentes fonctions dans le secteur de l’environnement. Passionné de musique depuis l’enfance, il étudie le saxophone, le piano, puis se forme au chant lyrique (ténor). S’il s’intéresse à tous les styles et toutes les formes de musique, l’opéra est sa grande passion.