Toulouse. A baroque opera in Occitan recreated for the first time in almost 270 years
By Toulouse editorial staff
Published on
This “Daphnis et Alcimadure” in full version is performed on period instruments for the first time since the 18th century.e century. Two performances of this extremely rare work will be given at Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 October 2022.
From “gauge” to “triumph”
It is to the composer Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville, born in 1711 in Narbonne (Aude), died in 1772 in Belleville, that we owe this opera. This virtuoso violinist, who finally “moved” to Paris, worked there as composer of Grands Motets at the Royal Chapel of Versailles and at the Concert Spirituel. In 1754, wanting to seduce Louis XV and the Dauphine, he offered, in Fontainebleau, “Daphnis and Alcimadure” in the Oc language, opera sung by the most famous performers of the time. He declares: “Establish, at the Royal Academy of Music, a pastoral in the Occitan dialect relieved of the challenge; it was a triumph! “.
For the 250e anniversary of the composer’s death
The work, lasting two hours, will be given twice in concert version with subtitles in Toulouse, Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 October 2022 at 8 p.m. at the Opéra national du Capitole in partnership with Odyssud Blagnac. These performances will celebrate the 250e anniversary of the composer’s death.
The opera’s libretto was written by Mondonville himself, based on a fable by La Fontaine with a tragic ending. The composer transformed it into a charming pastoral which ended in a happy ending.
With “the voice of the metro”
Jean-Marc Andrieu summarizes the argument as follows:
“The prologue is in French, to the glory of Clémence Isaure, our famous muse from Toulouse. The three characters in the pastoral are the shepherdess Alcimadure, the shepherd Daphnis and Alcimadure’s brother, Janet. The talented singers of this cover are guided for the pronunciation by Muriel Batbie-Castell. Joël Suhubiette’s famous Les Elements chamber choir completes this dream cast. And of course our beautiful Les Passions orchestra in full force. »
Details that Muriel Batbie-Castell is also the “voice of the metro” in the Pink City, since it announces the stations of line A and B in French and Occitan.
In short, with “Daphnis et Alcimadure”, Occitan Baroque is in the spotlight!
Prices: from 10 to 30 euros.
Info and reservations on the Odyssud website or that of the Capitoline National Opera.
Serge Chauzy
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