Name: Hercules
Start: 2004-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2004-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Théâtre de l'Archevêché

Organization

Singer

Bass

William Shimell

Hercules

Mezzo-soprano

Joyce DiDonato

Dejanira

Tenor

Toby Spence

Hylluse

Soprano

Christine Schäfer

Iole

Contralto

Malena Ernman

Lichas

Conductor

William Christie

Stage director

Luc Bondy

Set designer

Richard Peduzzi

Costume designer

Rudy Sabounghi

Lighting designer

Dominique Bruguière

Chorus master

François Bazola

Festival d'Aix en Provence

Les Talens Lyriques

Others

Les Arts Florissants

English

Aix-en-Provence

France

Théâtre de l'Archevêché

Paris

William Christie and Les Arts Florissants, masters of Baroque music, join forces with director Luc Bondy in Paris to stage this brilliant, lesser-known masterwork by Handel. Superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato shines as Hercules’ wife Dejanira, performing her demanding part with “affecting intensity and tireless stamina” (The New York Times).

Inspired by the ninth book of Ovid's Metamorphoses, Hercules is a highlight of Handel’s later output. A “musical drama” rather than a traditional opera, it was not originally written for the stage, but the music is as spectacular as any Handel ever wrote. This top-notch production, brimming with brio and subtlety under Bondy and Christie, proves that it can stack up against any giant of the opera genre.

Dejanira fears that her husband Hercules will never return from a lengthy absence. When he does finally return from his conquests, it is in the company of Iole, a strikingly beautiful slave. Stricken mad by jealousy, Dejanira gifts Hercules with a ceremonial garment she believes will restore his love—but it is, unbeknownst to her, soaked in poison and becomes the agent of Hercules’ demise. Tormented by guilt, Dejanira descends into madness, while Hercules, set aloft on eagles’ wings, takes his place among the gods in Olympus.

Palais Garnier

Public

Private

French

Approved

Accordionist

Instrumentalist

Archlutenist

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Bassist

Bassoonist

Cellist

Clarinetist

Contrabassist

Cornettist

Flutist

Guitarist

Harper

Harpsichordist

Hornist

Lutenist

Mandoline Player

Musette de cour Player

Oboist

Organist

Percussionist

Pianist

Recorder Player

Saxophonist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Trombonist

Trumpeter

Tuba Player

Vibraphonist

Viola Pomposa Player

Viola da gamba

Viola d’amore Player

Violinist

Violino Piccolo Player

Violist

Actor

Broadcasting

Chefdirigent Musiktheater

Choir

Choreographer

Chorus Director

Composer

Dancer

Dramaturge

Executive producer

Extra

Hairstylist

Illustrator

Librettist

Makeup artist

Off-Stage Artist

On-Stage Artist

Orchestra

Orchestra Operations

Other

Photographer

Poet

Repetiteur

Sound designer

Stage Manager

Teacher

Translator

Video designer

Vocal coach

Wig & Makeup Designer

Writer

Writing and performance

Bass-baritone

Countertenor

Baritone

Alto

Child vocalist

Continuo

Silent

Spoken

Hercules by Händel, From (2004/2004), Directed by Luc Bondy,, Conductor William Christie, Théâtre de l'Archevêché, Aix-en-Provence, France

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Co-Producer

Programme, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues