Jean-Philippe Rameau: Samson (Festival d'Aix-en-Provence) Backdrop Blur
Jean-Philippe Rameau: Samson (Festival d'Aix-en-Provence) Poster

Jean-Philippe Rameau: Samson (Festival d'Aix-en-Provence)

When, in 1733, Voltaire, the most brilliant mind of his day, collaborates with Rameau, its greatest composer, in undertaking an ambitious reform of operatic practice, the result is the biblical opera Samson. But the libretto is condemned and the score lost – possibly reworked here and there in later compositions. Claus Guth and Raphaël Pichon, haunted by this interesting project that had turned into one of the most intriguing failures in operatic history, have tried, not to recreate the letter, but to revive the spirit: to marry a strong, noble libretto with the most eloquent music.

Top Cast

  • Jarett Ott

    Jarett Ott

    Samson

  • Jacquelyn Stucker

    Jacquelyn Stucker

    Dalila

  • Lea Desandre

    Lea Desandre

    Timna

  • Nahuel Di Pierro

    Nahuel Di Pierro

    Achisch

  • Laurence Kilsby

    Laurence Kilsby

    Elon

  • Julie Roset

    Julie Roset

    L'Ange

  • Antonin Rondepierre

    Antonin Rondepierre

    Premier juge / un convive

  • René Ramos Premier

    René Ramos Premier

    Deuxième convive

  • Andréa Ferréol

    Andréa Ferréol

    La mère de Samson

Overview

When, in 1733, Voltaire, the most brilliant mind of his day, collaborates with Rameau, its greatest composer, in undertaking an ambitious reform of operatic practice, the result is the biblical opera Samson. But the libretto is condemned and the score lost – possibly reworked here and there in later compositions. Claus Guth and Raphaël Pichon, haunted by this interesting project that had turned into one of the most intriguing failures in operatic history, have tried, not to recreate the letter, but to revive the spirit: to marry a strong, noble libretto with the most eloquent music.

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