Aline will be performing as a member of the Choeur de Chambre de Namur in this production with the Paris National Opera.

Eight years after the success of Les Indes galantes, conductor Leonardo García Alarcón returns to the Paris Opera with a gem: a score by Antonia Bembo, an 18th century composer whose tumultuous life resembles a novel.

Fleeing a violent husband, this Venetian sought refuge at the court of Louis XIV, where she received the king’s protection. It was in France that she forged a personal style, straddling Italian and French culture, before composing her opera Ercole amante in 1707, based on the libretto previously used by her master Francesco Cavalli.

Never before staged, this Hercules in love, marked by harmonic originality and outstanding vocal virtuosity, is making its repertoire debut at the Paris Opera.

Netia Jones explores the baroque work, full of gods and supernatural elements, and reveals its modernity: that of a powerful but ageing man incapable of accepting a woman’s refusal to consent.

Creative team

Leonardo García Alarcón - Conductor

Netia Jones - Direction, set, costume design, video

Fabiana Piccioli - Lighting design

Maud Le Pladec - Choreographer

Fabian Schofrin - Dramaturgy

Thibaut Lenaerts - Chorus master of the Chœur de chambre de Namur

Distribution

Andreas Wolf Ercole

Julie Fuchs Giunone

Ana Vieira Leite Iole

Deepa Johnny Dejanira

Marcel Beekman Licco

Alasdair Kent Hyllo

Sandrine Piau Venere, Bellezza

Théo Imart Paggio

Teona Todua Pasithea

Alex Rosen Nettuno, L'Ombra di Eutyro

Too operatic, too dramatic, not appropriate for the occasion—the congregation at Leipzig's St. Nicholas Church was not impressed when Johann Sebastian Bach performed his St. John Passion there for the first time on Good Friday in 1724. In fact, Bach goes beyond a simple setting of the Passion story and fully exploits the dramatic potential inherent in the text of the Gospel of John with all musical means at his disposal. Above all, the numerous choral scenes lend the work an almost theatrical power. And although it is a biblical story that is told here, it is the great, universal human themes that are at stake: loyalty and betrayal, suffering and compassion, denial and forgiveness.

In cooperation with the international “schrit_tmacher Festival,” Olivia Fuchs is staging Bach's most dramatic Passion this season. Musicians and dancers join to develop a new interpretation of the “St. John Passion,” in which contemporary dance adds another dimension of expression to Bach's timeless music.

March 15 - 19:00

March 29th - 17:00

April 6th - 17:00

May 10th - 17:00

An immense oak intertwines its dazzling and tragic destiny with that of human beings. From Henri Simon’s splendid diptych in Liège Walloon Li Mwért di l’Åbe (1909) and Li R’vindje di l’Åbe (1926), Patrick Leterme draws a choral and symphonic score that brings together young and old, orchestra and choir, professionals and enthusiasts. The show, performed in the regional language, breathes new life into our heritage, singing of life, nature and our roots in our common land.

Composer and musical direction: Patrick Leterme
Direction: Ingrid von Wantoch Rekowski
Stage and costumes: Satu Peltoniemi
Assistante stage & costumes: Sarah Brunori
Lighting: Gérard Maraite
General stage management: Pierre-Antoine Martin
Coordination: Mathieu Roskam
Direction of the la Monnaie children and youth choir: Benoît Giaux

26, 27, 28 September
PBA Charleroi - BE

2 October
Grand Manège Concert Hall Namur - BE

4 October
Centre Culturel Les Pyramides Welkenraedt - BE

8 October
Théâtre La Manège Mons - BE

11 October
Salle Philharmonique Liège - BE

18 October
Maison de la Culture Tournai - BE