Charpentier: Médée / Magdalena Kožená / Sir Simon Rattle
Freiburger Barockorchester / Carolyn Sampson / Reinoud Van Mechelen
A drama of dragons and revenge
Thanks in particular to the revival of his dramatic operas, the name Marc-Antoine Charpentier is no longer known solely as the composer behind the »Eurovision« theme tune. However, his five-act »Médée«, first performed in 1693 and based on one of the great Greek legends, is nothing for the faint-hearted. Things get pretty brutal in this drama before the epoynmous heroine flies away on a dragon’s back.
The king’s daughter Medea, cheated on by her husband Jason, is played by Magdalena Kožená in one of her showcase roles, from which she coaxes gentle moments even amidst a heated frenzy of revenge.
With Carolyn Sampson as Créuse, her rival in love, and Reinoud Van Mechelen as Jason, she has two partners with Early Music music experience at her side, and they are accompanied by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, one of the top ensembles in the field of so-called historic performing practice. Simon Rattle and Magdalena Kožená also harmonise privately as a couple, which can’t help but contribute to the success of this glittering opera performance.
Performers
Freiburger Barockorchester
Staatsopernchor Berlin
Magdalena Kožená Médée
Luca Tittoto bass
Carolyn Sampson Créuse
Jehanne Amzal soprano
Reinoud Van Mechelen Jason
Gyula Orendt Oronte
Markéta Cukrová soprano
Gonzalo Quinchahual tenor
Dionysios Avgerinos baritone
conductor Sir Simon Rattle
Programme
Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Médée / opera in one prologue and five acts
Concert performance in French with German surtitles
Subscription
Elbphilharmonie Subscription 1
Series
Opera in Concert