BEETHOVEN EUROPEAN ARK III

H. EISLER “Gegen den Krieg” (except 07/12)
Lv BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 in D m ​​op. 125

Eleanor Lyons, Sophie Harmsen, Ilker Arcayürek, Jarrett Ott
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe , conductor

During the 2024/2025 season, the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées is celebrating the bicentenary of the creation of one of the universal masterpieces in the history of music: Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which has now become the European anthem.

A 10-concert event tour, under the high patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, as a manifesto for peace.

To celebrate this work and the values ​​it embodies, the orchestra has designed a musical program that juxtaposes Beethoven's 9th with an a capella piece for choir written in 1936 by the Austrian composer Hanns Eisler on a text by Brecht: Gegen den Krieg (Against War).

BEETHOVEN EUROPEAN ARK III

H. EISLER “Gegen den Krieg” (except 07/12)
Lv BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 in D m ​​op. 125

Eleanor Lyons, Sophie Harmsen, Ilker Arcayürek, Jarrett Ott
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe , conductor

During the 2024/2025 season, the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées is celebrating the bicentenary of the creation of one of the universal masterpieces in the history of music: Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which has now become the European anthem.

A 10-concert event tour, under the high patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, as a manifesto for peace.

To celebrate this work and the values ​​it embodies, the orchestra has designed a musical program that juxtaposes Beethoven's 9th with an a capella piece for choir written in 1936 by the Austrian composer Hanns Eisler on a text by Brecht: Gegen den Krieg (Against War).

BEETHOVEN EUROPEAN ARK III

H. EISLER “Gegen den Krieg” (except 07/12)
Lv BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 in D m ​​op. 125

Eleanor Lyons, Sophie Harmsen, Ilker Arcayürek, Jarrett Ott
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe , conductor

During the 2024/2025 season, the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées is celebrating the bicentenary of the creation of one of the universal masterpieces in the history of music: Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which has now become the European anthem.

A 10-concert event tour, under the high patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, as a manifesto for peace.

To celebrate this work and the values ​​it embodies, the orchestra has designed a musical program that juxtaposes Beethoven's 9th with an a capella piece for choir written in 1936 by the Austrian composer Hanns Eisler on a text by Brecht: Gegen den Krieg (Against War).

BEETHOVEN EUROPEAN ARK III

H. EISLER “Gegen den Krieg” (except 07/12)
Lv BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 in D m ​​op. 125

Eleanor Lyons, Sophie Harmsen, Ilker Arcayürek, Jarrett Ott
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe , conductor

During the 2024/2025 season, the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées is celebrating the bicentenary of the creation of one of the universal masterpieces in the history of music: Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which has now become the European anthem.

A 10-concert event tour, under the high patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, as a manifesto for peace.

To celebrate this work and the values ​​it embodies, the orchestra has designed a musical program that juxtaposes Beethoven's 9th with an a capella piece for choir written in 1936 by the Austrian composer Hanns Eisler on a text by Brecht: Gegen den Krieg (Against War).

Jarrett sings the role of Il Counte d’Almaviva

Il conte d'Almaviva Baritono Jarrett Ott

La contessa d'Almaviva Soprano Kirsten MacKinnon

Figaro Baritono Christian Federici

Susanna Soprano Martina Russomanno

Cherubino Mezzosoprano Siphokazi Molteno (Regio Ensemble)

Marcellina Mezzosoprano Chiara Tirotta

Bartolo Basso Giovanni Romeo

Basilio Tenore Juan José Medina (Regio Ensemble)

Don Curzio Tenore Cristiano Olivieri

Antonio Baritono Janusz Nosek (Regio Ensemble)

Barbarina Soprano Albina Tonkikh (Regio Ensemble)

Leonardo Sini direttore d'orchestra

Emilio Sagi regia

Daniel Bianco scene

Renata Schussheim costumi

Eduardo Bravo luci

Nuria Castejon coreografia

Ulisse Trabacchin maestro del coro

Orchestra e Coro Teatro Regio Torino

Allestimento Teatro Real (Madrid)

In coproduzione con Asociación Bilbaína de Amigos de la Ópera (A.B.A.O.) e Teatro Pérez Galdós de la Palmas de Gran Canaria

Some weddings are "crazy days", as the subtitle of The Marriage of Figaro states, the funniest and most human opera by Mozart and his librettist Da Ponte. Staging it was an obstacle course for them, since the subject was taken from a French comedy of political and social satire banned in both Paris and Vienna: only the intervention of the Emperor of Austria guaranteed its debut in 1786. To reassure him, every scandalous element was eliminated, leaving room for the expression of genuine passions through a succession of arias and ensemble pieces of unparalleled variety.

On this occasion Figaro, the famous Sevillian barber, must avoid every trap to marry his beloved Susanna, saving her from the snares of the Count of Almaviva. Between the pro quo, disguises and twists, the story is very intricate: a linear direction like that of Emilio Segi is therefore essential to fully enjoy the show. His production, which debuted at the Teatro Real in Madrid, has an eighteenth-century setting imbued with the light and scents of Andalusia.

Specialists of the late eighteenth century repertoire will take on the roles of the protagonists: Vito Priante and Monica Conesa will be the Count and Countess, Giorgio Caoduro will be Figaro, Giulia Semenzato Susanna and Josè Maria Lo Monaco Cherubino. On the podium will be Leonardo Sini, a young Sardinian maestro who has already distinguished himself on the opera scene for his always solid and attentive direction.

Jarrett sings the role of Il Counte d’Almaviva

Il conte d'Almaviva Baritono Jarrett Ott

La contessa d'Almaviva Soprano Kirsten MacKinnon

Figaro Baritono Christian Federici

Susanna Soprano Martina Russomanno

Cherubino Mezzosoprano Siphokazi Molteno (Regio Ensemble)

Marcellina Mezzosoprano Chiara Tirotta

Bartolo Basso Giovanni Romeo

Basilio Tenore Juan José Medina (Regio Ensemble)

Don Curzio Tenore Cristiano Olivieri

Antonio Baritono Janusz Nosek (Regio Ensemble)

Barbarina Soprano Albina Tonkikh (Regio Ensemble)

Leonardo Sini direttore d'orchestra

Emilio Sagi regia

Daniel Bianco scene

Renata Schussheim costumi

Eduardo Bravo luci

Nuria Castejon coreografia

Ulisse Trabacchin maestro del coro

Orchestra e Coro Teatro Regio Torino

Allestimento Teatro Real (Madrid)

In coproduzione con Asociación Bilbaína de Amigos de la Ópera (A.B.A.O.) e Teatro Pérez Galdós de la Palmas de Gran Canaria

Some weddings are "crazy days", as the subtitle of The Marriage of Figaro states, the funniest and most human opera by Mozart and his librettist Da Ponte. Staging it was an obstacle course for them, since the subject was taken from a French comedy of political and social satire banned in both Paris and Vienna: only the intervention of the Emperor of Austria guaranteed its debut in 1786. To reassure him, every scandalous element was eliminated, leaving room for the expression of genuine passions through a succession of arias and ensemble pieces of unparalleled variety.

On this occasion Figaro, the famous Sevillian barber, must avoid every trap to marry his beloved Susanna, saving her from the snares of the Count of Almaviva. Between the pro quo, disguises and twists, the story is very intricate: a linear direction like that of Emilio Segi is therefore essential to fully enjoy the show. His production, which debuted at the Teatro Real in Madrid, has an eighteenth-century setting imbued with the light and scents of Andalusia.

Specialists of the late eighteenth century repertoire will take on the roles of the protagonists: Vito Priante and Monica Conesa will be the Count and Countess, Giorgio Caoduro will be Figaro, Giulia Semenzato Susanna and Josè Maria Lo Monaco Cherubino. On the podium will be Leonardo Sini, a young Sardinian maestro who has already distinguished himself on the opera scene for his always solid and attentive direction.

Jarrett sings the role of Il Counte d’Almaviva

Il conte d'Almaviva Baritono Jarrett Ott

La contessa d'Almaviva Soprano Kirsten MacKinnon

Figaro Baritono Christian Federici

Susanna Soprano Martina Russomanno

Cherubino Mezzosoprano Siphokazi Molteno (Regio Ensemble)

Marcellina Mezzosoprano Chiara Tirotta

Bartolo Basso Giovanni Romeo

Basilio Tenore Juan José Medina (Regio Ensemble)

Don Curzio Tenore Cristiano Olivieri

Antonio Baritono Janusz Nosek (Regio Ensemble)

Barbarina Soprano Albina Tonkikh (Regio Ensemble)

Leonardo Sini direttore d'orchestra

Emilio Sagi regia

Daniel Bianco scene

Renata Schussheim costumi

Eduardo Bravo luci

Nuria Castejon coreografia

Ulisse Trabacchin maestro del coro

Orchestra e Coro Teatro Regio Torino

Allestimento Teatro Real (Madrid)

In coproduzione con Asociación Bilbaína de Amigos de la Ópera (A.B.A.O.) e Teatro Pérez Galdós de la Palmas de Gran Canaria

Some weddings are "crazy days", as the subtitle of The Marriage of Figaro states, the funniest and most human opera by Mozart and his librettist Da Ponte. Staging it was an obstacle course for them, since the subject was taken from a French comedy of political and social satire banned in both Paris and Vienna: only the intervention of the Emperor of Austria guaranteed its debut in 1786. To reassure him, every scandalous element was eliminated, leaving room for the expression of genuine passions through a succession of arias and ensemble pieces of unparalleled variety.

On this occasion Figaro, the famous Sevillian barber, must avoid every trap to marry his beloved Susanna, saving her from the snares of the Count of Almaviva. Between the pro quo, disguises and twists, the story is very intricate: a linear direction like that of Emilio Segi is therefore essential to fully enjoy the show. His production, which debuted at the Teatro Real in Madrid, has an eighteenth-century setting imbued with the light and scents of Andalusia.

Specialists of the late eighteenth century repertoire will take on the roles of the protagonists: Vito Priante and Monica Conesa will be the Count and Countess, Giorgio Caoduro will be Figaro, Giulia Semenzato Susanna and Josè Maria Lo Monaco Cherubino. On the podium will be Leonardo Sini, a young Sardinian maestro who has already distinguished himself on the opera scene for his always solid and attentive direction.

Vocal Concert

Grande salle Pierre Boulez - Philharmonie

Duration: about 1h15

Program

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphonie n° 9 "Hymne à la joie"

Orchestre du Conservatoire de Paris

Internationale Chorakademie

Raphaël Pichon , conducting

Rolf Beck , choirmaster

Jacquelyn Stucker , soprano

Beth Taylor , mezzo-soprano

Robin Tritschler , tenor

Jarrett Ott , baritone

A weekend devoted to choral music would not be complete without works by Raphaël Pichon, who from 2009, early in his career, has championed the choir—calling for its central place to be honoured, as a true equal to the orchestra.

SAMSON

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764)

WORLD PREMIERE FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
A COPRODUCTION WITH THÉÂTRE NATIONAL DE L’OPÉRA-COMIQUE

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

GRANDE MÉCÈNE D’EXCEPTION

AMMODO AND CERCLE DES MÉCÈNES ASSOCIÉS

THÉÂTRE DE L'ARCHEVÊCHÉ

NEW WORK BY CLAUS GUTH AND RAPHAËL PICHON FREELY BASED ON SAMSON, A LOST OPERA BY JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU AND A CENSURED LIBRETTO BY FRANÇOIS-MARIE AROUET DIT VOLTAIRE (1734 AND 1736), INSPIRED BY THE BIBLE (THE BOOK OF JUDGES)

CONDUCTOR AND MUSICAL CONCEPT Raphaël Pichon*

STAGE DIRECTION, CONCEPT AND SCENARIO Claus Guth

SET DESIGN Étienne Pluss

COSTUME DESIGN Ursula Kudrna

LIGHTING DESIGN Bertrand Couderc

CHOREOGRAPHY Sommer Ulrickson

SOUND DESIGN Mathis Nitschke

VIDEO rocafilm

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Eddy Garaudel

DRAMATURGY Yvonne Gebauer

SAMSON Jarrett Ott

DALILA Jacquelyn Stucker

TIMNA Lea Desandre*

ACHISCH Nahuel di Pierro

ELON Laurence Kilsby

L'ANGE Julie Roset*

UN CONVIVE Antonin Rondepierre

LA MÈRE DE SAMSON Andréa Ferréol

CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA Pygmalion

*FORMER ARTISTS OF THE ACADÉMIE

ABOUT

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. Samson is the chosen of God, but his extraordinary strength isolates him as much as it marks him out: a succession of failed love affairs turns him into a destructive force, making this biblical Hercules the first suicidal to be a mass murderer. Supporting Jarrett Ott, Jacquelyn Stucker and Lea Desandre in the principal roles, the Pygmalion chorus and orchestra become important actors in a fresco that is both sublime and astonishingly modern.

SAMSON

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764)

WORLD PREMIERE FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
A COPRODUCTION WITH THÉÂTRE NATIONAL DE L’OPÉRA-COMIQUE

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

GRANDE MÉCÈNE D’EXCEPTION

AMMODO AND CERCLE DES MÉCÈNES ASSOCIÉS

THÉÂTRE DE L'ARCHEVÊCHÉ

NEW WORK BY CLAUS GUTH AND RAPHAËL PICHON FREELY BASED ON SAMSON, A LOST OPERA BY JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU AND A CENSURED LIBRETTO BY FRANÇOIS-MARIE AROUET DIT VOLTAIRE (1734 AND 1736), INSPIRED BY THE BIBLE (THE BOOK OF JUDGES)

CONDUCTOR AND MUSICAL CONCEPT Raphaël Pichon*

STAGE DIRECTION, CONCEPT AND SCENARIO Claus Guth

SET DESIGN Étienne Pluss

COSTUME DESIGN Ursula Kudrna

LIGHTING DESIGN Bertrand Couderc

CHOREOGRAPHY Sommer Ulrickson

SOUND DESIGN Mathis Nitschke

VIDEO rocafilm

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Eddy Garaudel

DRAMATURGY Yvonne Gebauer

SAMSON Jarrett Ott

DALILA Jacquelyn Stucker

TIMNA Lea Desandre*

ACHISCH Nahuel di Pierro

ELON Laurence Kilsby

L'ANGE Julie Roset*

UN CONVIVE Antonin Rondepierre

LA MÈRE DE SAMSON Andréa Ferréol

CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA Pygmalion

*FORMER ARTISTS OF THE ACADÉMIE

ABOUT

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. Samson is the chosen of God, but his extraordinary strength isolates him as much as it marks him out: a succession of failed love affairs turns him into a destructive force, making this biblical Hercules the first suicidal to be a mass murderer. Supporting Jarrett Ott, Jacquelyn Stucker and Lea Desandre in the principal roles, the Pygmalion chorus and orchestra become important actors in a fresco that is both sublime and astonishingly modern.

SAMSON

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764)

WORLD PREMIERE FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
A COPRODUCTION WITH THÉÂTRE NATIONAL DE L’OPÉRA-COMIQUE

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

GRANDE MÉCÈNE D’EXCEPTION

AMMODO AND CERCLE DES MÉCÈNES ASSOCIÉS

THÉÂTRE DE L'ARCHEVÊCHÉ

NEW WORK BY CLAUS GUTH AND RAPHAËL PICHON FREELY BASED ON SAMSON, A LOST OPERA BY JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU AND A CENSURED LIBRETTO BY FRANÇOIS-MARIE AROUET DIT VOLTAIRE (1734 AND 1736), INSPIRED BY THE BIBLE (THE BOOK OF JUDGES)

CONDUCTOR AND MUSICAL CONCEPT Raphaël Pichon*

STAGE DIRECTION, CONCEPT AND SCENARIO Claus Guth

SET DESIGN Étienne Pluss

COSTUME DESIGN Ursula Kudrna

LIGHTING DESIGN Bertrand Couderc

CHOREOGRAPHY Sommer Ulrickson

SOUND DESIGN Mathis Nitschke

VIDEO rocafilm

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Eddy Garaudel

DRAMATURGY Yvonne Gebauer

SAMSON Jarrett Ott

DALILA Jacquelyn Stucker

TIMNA Lea Desandre*

ACHISCH Nahuel di Pierro

ELON Laurence Kilsby

L'ANGE Julie Roset*

UN CONVIVE Antonin Rondepierre

LA MÈRE DE SAMSON Andréa Ferréol

CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA Pygmalion

*FORMER ARTISTS OF THE ACADÉMIE

ABOUT

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. Samson is the chosen of God, but his extraordinary strength isolates him as much as it marks him out: a succession of failed love affairs turns him into a destructive force, making this biblical Hercules the first suicidal to be a mass murderer. Supporting Jarrett Ott, Jacquelyn Stucker and Lea Desandre in the principal roles, the Pygmalion chorus and orchestra become important actors in a fresco that is both sublime and astonishingly modern.

SAMSON

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764)

WORLD PREMIERE FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
A COPRODUCTION WITH THÉÂTRE NATIONAL DE L’OPÉRA-COMIQUE

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

GRANDE MÉCÈNE D’EXCEPTION

AMMODO AND CERCLE DES MÉCÈNES ASSOCIÉS

THÉÂTRE DE L'ARCHEVÊCHÉ

NEW WORK BY CLAUS GUTH AND RAPHAËL PICHON FREELY BASED ON SAMSON, A LOST OPERA BY JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU AND A CENSURED LIBRETTO BY FRANÇOIS-MARIE AROUET DIT VOLTAIRE (1734 AND 1736), INSPIRED BY THE BIBLE (THE BOOK OF JUDGES)

CONDUCTOR AND MUSICAL CONCEPT Raphaël Pichon*

STAGE DIRECTION, CONCEPT AND SCENARIO Claus Guth

SET DESIGN Étienne Pluss

COSTUME DESIGN Ursula Kudrna

LIGHTING DESIGN Bertrand Couderc

CHOREOGRAPHY Sommer Ulrickson

SOUND DESIGN Mathis Nitschke

VIDEO rocafilm

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Eddy Garaudel

DRAMATURGY Yvonne Gebauer

SAMSON Jarrett Ott

DALILA Jacquelyn Stucker

TIMNA Lea Desandre*

ACHISCH Nahuel di Pierro

ELON Laurence Kilsby

L'ANGE Julie Roset*

UN CONVIVE Antonin Rondepierre

LA MÈRE DE SAMSON Andréa Ferréol

CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA Pygmalion

*FORMER ARTISTS OF THE ACADÉMIE

ABOUT

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. Samson is the chosen of God, but his extraordinary strength isolates him as much as it marks him out: a succession of failed love affairs turns him into a destructive force, making this biblical Hercules the first suicidal to be a mass murderer. Supporting Jarrett Ott, Jacquelyn Stucker and Lea Desandre in the principal roles, the Pygmalion chorus and orchestra become important actors in a fresco that is both sublime and astonishingly modern.

SAMSON

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764)

WORLD PREMIERE FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
A COPRODUCTION WITH THÉÂTRE NATIONAL DE L’OPÉRA-COMIQUE

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

GRANDE MÉCÈNE D’EXCEPTION

AMMODO AND CERCLE DES MÉCÈNES ASSOCIÉS

THÉÂTRE DE L'ARCHEVÊCHÉ

NEW WORK BY CLAUS GUTH AND RAPHAËL PICHON FREELY BASED ON SAMSON, A LOST OPERA BY JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU AND A CENSURED LIBRETTO BY FRANÇOIS-MARIE AROUET DIT VOLTAIRE (1734 AND 1736), INSPIRED BY THE BIBLE (THE BOOK OF JUDGES)

CONDUCTOR AND MUSICAL CONCEPT Raphaël Pichon*

STAGE DIRECTION, CONCEPT AND SCENARIO Claus Guth

SET DESIGN Étienne Pluss

COSTUME DESIGN Ursula Kudrna

LIGHTING DESIGN Bertrand Couderc

CHOREOGRAPHY Sommer Ulrickson

SOUND DESIGN Mathis Nitschke

VIDEO rocafilm

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Eddy Garaudel

DRAMATURGY Yvonne Gebauer

SAMSON Jarrett Ott

DALILA Jacquelyn Stucker

TIMNA Lea Desandre*

ACHISCH Nahuel di Pierro

ELON Laurence Kilsby

L'ANGE Julie Roset*

UN CONVIVE Antonin Rondepierre

LA MÈRE DE SAMSON Andréa Ferréol

CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA Pygmalion

*FORMER ARTISTS OF THE ACADÉMIE

ABOUT

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. Samson is the chosen of God, but his extraordinary strength isolates him as much as it marks him out: a succession of failed love affairs turns him into a destructive force, making this biblical Hercules the first suicidal to be a mass murderer. Supporting Jarrett Ott, Jacquelyn Stucker and Lea Desandre in the principal roles, the Pygmalion chorus and orchestra become important actors in a fresco that is both sublime and astonishingly modern.

SAMSON

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764)

WORLD PREMIERE FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE
A COPRODUCTION WITH THÉÂTRE NATIONAL DE L’OPÉRA-COMIQUE

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

GRANDE MÉCÈNE D’EXCEPTION

AMMODO AND CERCLE DES MÉCÈNES ASSOCIÉS

THÉÂTRE DE L'ARCHEVÊCHÉ

NEW WORK BY CLAUS GUTH AND RAPHAËL PICHON FREELY BASED ON SAMSON, A LOST OPERA BY JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU AND A CENSURED LIBRETTO BY FRANÇOIS-MARIE AROUET DIT VOLTAIRE (1734 AND 1736), INSPIRED BY THE BIBLE (THE BOOK OF JUDGES)

CONDUCTOR AND MUSICAL CONCEPT Raphaël Pichon*

STAGE DIRECTION, CONCEPT AND SCENARIO Claus Guth

SET DESIGN Étienne Pluss

COSTUME DESIGN Ursula Kudrna

LIGHTING DESIGN Bertrand Couderc

CHOREOGRAPHY Sommer Ulrickson

SOUND DESIGN Mathis Nitschke

VIDEO rocafilm

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Eddy Garaudel

DRAMATURGY Yvonne Gebauer

SAMSON Jarrett Ott

DALILA Jacquelyn Stucker

TIMNA Lea Desandre*

ACHISCH Nahuel di Pierro

ELON Laurence Kilsby

L'ANGE Julie Roset*

UN CONVIVE Antonin Rondepierre

LA MÈRE DE SAMSON Andréa Ferréol

CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA Pygmalion

*FORMER ARTISTS OF THE ACADÉMIE

ABOUT

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. Samson is the chosen of God, but his extraordinary strength isolates him as much as it marks him out: a succession of failed love affairs turns him into a destructive force, making this biblical Hercules the first suicidal to be a mass murderer. Supporting Jarrett Ott, Jacquelyn Stucker and Lea Desandre in the principal roles, the Pygmalion chorus and orchestra become important actors in a fresco that is both sublime and astonishingly modern.

Jarrett Ott, baritone soloist

Celebrate 40 years of the world-renowned Colorado Symphony Chorus with a renewal of Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony, utilizing text from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, and employing a chorus throughout the entirety of the work in groundbreaking fashion. Over a hundred years earlier, Beethoven's symphonic debut started the genre established by Mozart and Haydn on a journey that would eventually evolve into Vaughan Williams' vivid, chorus-driven masterpiece.

Founded in 1984 by Duain Wolfe, the Colorado Symphony Chorus has flourished into an internationally respected ensemble, making it the preferred choice for the chorus of the Aspen Music Festival and for orchestras touring through the Bravo! Vail Music Festival. Celebrate their Ruby Anniversary with a choral spectacular alongside Principal Conductor Peter Oundjian and the Colorado Symphony. 

Featured Artists

Peter Oundjian, conductor
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director
Karina Gauvin, soprano
Jarrett Ott, baritone

Jarrett Ott, baritone soloist

Celebrate 40 years of the world-renowned Colorado Symphony Chorus with a renewal of Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony, utilizing text from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, and employing a chorus throughout the entirety of the work in groundbreaking fashion. Over a hundred years earlier, Beethoven's symphonic debut started the genre established by Mozart and Haydn on a journey that would eventually evolve into Vaughan Williams' vivid, chorus-driven masterpiece.

Founded in 1984 by Duain Wolfe, the Colorado Symphony Chorus has flourished into an internationally respected ensemble, making it the preferred choice for the chorus of the Aspen Music Festival and for orchestras touring through the Bravo! Vail Music Festival. Celebrate their Ruby Anniversary with a choral spectacular alongside Principal Conductor Peter Oundjian and the Colorado Symphony. 

Featured Artists

Peter Oundjian, conductor
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director
Karina Gauvin, soprano
Jarrett Ott, baritone

Ned Rorem Celebration Concert

The Curtis Institute of Music honors the life, legacy, and genius of alumnus, longtime faculty member, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and prolific writer Ned Rorem (’44) with a concert at Field Concert Hall. Mr. Rorem received a GRAMMY Award and wrote three symphonies, four piano concerti, ten operas, choral works, ballets, song cycles, and numerous orchestral works in his lifetime. Revered faculty members, rising stars of the Curtis Opera Theatre, and some of the school’s gifted musicians pay tribute to one of the greatest American composers of the twentieth century and a cultural luminary who inspired generations of young artists and composers.

Sarah Fleiss, soprano
Katie Trigg, mezzo-soprano
Jarrett Ott (Opera ’14), baritone
Miloš Repický, piano

COMPOSER Thomas Adès

LIBRETTO Thomas Adès & Tim Cairns, based on the eponymous film by Luis Buñuel

CONDUCTOR Gustavo Dudamel

THE CAST

LUCIA DE NOBILE Jacquelyn Stucker

LETICIA MEYNAR Caroline Wettergreen

LEONORA PALMA Hilary Summers

SILVIA DE AVÍLA Claudia Boyle

BLANCA DELGADO Christine Rice

BEATRIZ Amina Edris

EDMUNDO DE NOBILE Nicky Spence

COMTE RAÚL YEBENES Frédéric Antoun

COLONEL ÁLVARO GÓMEZ Jarrett Ott

FRANCISCO DE AVÍLA Anthony Roth Costanzo

EDUARDO Filipe Manu

SEÑOR RUSSEL Philippe Sly

ALBERTO ROC Paul Gay

DOCTOR CARLOS CONDE Clive Bayley

JULIO – BUTLER Thomas Faulkner

MENI – MAID Ilanah Lobel-Torres

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Calixto Bieito

SET DESIGN Anna Kirsch

COSTUME DESIGN Ingo Krügler

LIGHTING DESGIN Reinhard Traub

DRAMATURGY Bettina Auer

CHORUS MASTER Ching-Lien Wu

COMPOSER Thomas Adès

LIBRETTO Thomas Adès & Tim Cairns, based on the eponymous film by Luis Buñuel

CONDUCTOR Gustavo Dudamel

THE CAST

LUCIA DE NOBILE Jacquelyn Stucker

LETICIA MEYNAR Caroline Wettergreen

LEONORA PALMA Hilary Summers

SILVIA DE AVÍLA Claudia Boyle

BLANCA DELGADO Christine Rice

BEATRIZ Amina Edris

EDMUNDO DE NOBILE Nicky Spence

COMTE RAÚL YEBENES Frédéric Antoun

COLONEL ÁLVARO GÓMEZ Jarrett Ott

FRANCISCO DE AVÍLA Anthony Roth Costanzo

EDUARDO Filipe Manu

SEÑOR RUSSEL Philippe Sly

ALBERTO ROC Paul Gay

DOCTOR CARLOS CONDE Clive Bayley

JULIO – BUTLER Thomas Faulkner

MENI – MAID Ilanah Lobel-Torres

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Calixto Bieito

SET DESIGN Anna Kirsch

COSTUME DESIGN Ingo Krügler

LIGHTING DESGIN Reinhard Traub

DRAMATURGY Bettina Auer

CHORUS MASTER Ching-Lien Wu

COMPOSER Thomas Adès

LIBRETTO Thomas Adès & Tim Cairns, based on the eponymous film by Luis Buñuel

CONDUCTOR Gustavo Dudamel

THE CAST

LUCIA DE NOBILE Jacquelyn Stucker

LETICIA MEYNAR Caroline Wettergreen

LEONORA PALMA Hilary Summers

SILVIA DE AVÍLA Claudia Boyle

BLANCA DELGADO Christine Rice

BEATRIZ Amina Edris

EDMUNDO DE NOBILE Nicky Spence

COMTE RAÚL YEBENES Frédéric Antoun

COLONEL ÁLVARO GÓMEZ Jarrett Ott

FRANCISCO DE AVÍLA Anthony Roth Costanzo

EDUARDO Filipe Manu

SEÑOR RUSSEL Philippe Sly

ALBERTO ROC Paul Gay

DOCTOR CARLOS CONDE Clive Bayley

JULIO – BUTLER Thomas Faulkner

MENI – MAID Ilanah Lobel-Torres

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Calixto Bieito

SET DESIGN Anna Kirsch

COSTUME DESIGN Ingo Krügler

LIGHTING DESGIN Reinhard Traub

DRAMATURGY Bettina Auer

CHORUS MASTER Ching-Lien Wu

COMPOSER Thomas Adès

LIBRETTO Thomas Adès & Tim Cairns, based on the eponymous film by Luis Buñuel

CONDUCTOR Gustavo Dudamel

THE CAST

LUCIA DE NOBILE Jacquelyn Stucker

LETICIA MEYNAR Caroline Wettergreen

LEONORA PALMA Hilary Summers

SILVIA DE AVÍLA Claudia Boyle

BLANCA DELGADO Christine Rice

BEATRIZ Amina Edris

EDMUNDO DE NOBILE Nicky Spence

COMTE RAÚL YEBENES Frédéric Antoun

COLONEL ÁLVARO GÓMEZ Jarrett Ott

FRANCISCO DE AVÍLA Anthony Roth Costanzo

EDUARDO Filipe Manu

SEÑOR RUSSEL Philippe Sly

ALBERTO ROC Paul Gay

DOCTOR CARLOS CONDE Clive Bayley

JULIO – BUTLER Thomas Faulkner

MENI – MAID Ilanah Lobel-Torres

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Calixto Bieito

SET DESIGN Anna Kirsch

COSTUME DESIGN Ingo Krügler

LIGHTING DESGIN Reinhard Traub

DRAMATURGY Bettina Auer

CHORUS MASTER Ching-Lien Wu

COMPOSER Thomas Adès

LIBRETTO Thomas Adès & Tim Cairns, based on the eponymous film by Luis Buñuel

CONDUCTOR Gustavo Dudamel

THE CAST

LUCIA DE NOBILE Jacquelyn Stucker

LETICIA MEYNAR Caroline Wettergreen

LEONORA PALMA Hilary Summers

SILVIA DE AVÍLA Claudia Boyle

BLANCA DELGADO Christine Rice

BEATRIZ Amina Edris

EDMUNDO DE NOBILE Nicky Spence

COMTE RAÚL YEBENES Frédéric Antoun

COLONEL ÁLVARO GÓMEZ Jarrett Ott

FRANCISCO DE AVÍLA Anthony Roth Costanzo

EDUARDO Filipe Manu

SEÑOR RUSSEL Philippe Sly

ALBERTO ROC Paul Gay

DOCTOR CARLOS CONDE Clive Bayley

JULIO – BUTLER Thomas Faulkner

MENI – MAID Ilanah Lobel-Torres

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Calixto Bieito

SET DESIGN Anna Kirsch

COSTUME DESIGN Ingo Krügler

LIGHTING DESGIN Reinhard Traub

DRAMATURGY Bettina Auer

CHORUS MASTER Ching-Lien Wu

COMPOSER Thomas Adès

LIBRETTO Thomas Adès & Tim Cairns, based on the eponymous film by Luis Buñuel

CONDUCTOR Gustavo Dudamel

THE CAST

LUCIA DE NOBILE Jacquelyn Stucker

LETICIA MEYNAR Caroline Wettergreen

LEONORA PALMA Hilary Summers

SILVIA DE AVÍLA Claudia Boyle

BLANCA DELGADO Christine Rice

BEATRIZ Amina Edris

EDMUNDO DE NOBILE Nicky Spence

COMTE RAÚL YEBENES Frédéric Antoun

COLONEL ÁLVARO GÓMEZ Jarrett Ott

FRANCISCO DE AVÍLA Anthony Roth Costanzo

EDUARDO Filipe Manu

SEÑOR RUSSEL Philippe Sly

ALBERTO ROC Paul Gay

DOCTOR CARLOS CONDE Clive Bayley

JULIO – BUTLER Thomas Faulkner

MENI – MAID Ilanah Lobel-Torres

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Calixto Bieito

SET DESIGN Anna Kirsch

COSTUME DESIGN Ingo Krügler

LIGHTING DESGIN Reinhard Traub

DRAMATURGY Bettina Auer

CHORUS MASTER Ching-Lien Wu

COMPOSER Thomas Adès

LIBRETTO Thomas Adès & Tim Cairns, based on the eponymous film by Luis Buñuel

CONDUCTOR Gustavo Dudamel

THE CAST

LUCIA DE NOBILE Jacquelyn Stucker

LETICIA MEYNAR Caroline Wettergreen

LEONORA PALMA Hilary Summers

SILVIA DE AVÍLA Claudia Boyle

BLANCA DELGADO Christine Rice

BEATRIZ Amina Edris

EDMUNDO DE NOBILE Nicky Spence

COMTE RAÚL YEBENES Frédéric Antoun

COLONEL ÁLVARO GÓMEZ Jarrett Ott

FRANCISCO DE AVÍLA Anthony Roth Costanzo

EDUARDO Filipe Manu

SEÑOR RUSSEL Philippe Sly

ALBERTO ROC Paul Gay

DOCTOR CARLOS CONDE Clive Bayley

JULIO – BUTLER Thomas Faulkner

MENI – MAID Ilanah Lobel-Torres

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Calixto Bieito

SET DESIGN Anna Kirsch

COSTUME DESIGN Ingo Krügler

LIGHTING DESGIN Reinhard Traub

DRAMATURGY Bettina Auer

CHORUS MASTER Ching-Lien Wu

Performance Details

Jarrett sings selections from Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and O Holy Night

William Eddins Conductor
Charlotte Blake Alston Speaker
Jarrett Ott Baritone
Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia
Dominick DiOrio Director

Mendelssohn “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
Traditional “Away in a Manger”
Traditional “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen”
Vaughan Williams Selections from Five Mystical Songs
Tchaikovsky/freely arr. Ellington and Strayhorn Selections from The Nutcracker Suite
Various A Charleston Christmas 
Adam “O Holy Night”
Holst “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Tovey “The Rittenhouse Carol”
Anderson Sleigh Ride
Various Medley of Christmas Favorites
Wade “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

You can almost hear the stamping of the reindeer hooves on the roof in these concerts, beloved by fans since the iconic Glorious Sound of Christmas® recording with Eugene Ormandy and the Orchestra was released in 1962. One of Your Philadelphia Orchestra’s favorite guest conductors—and a favorite with orchestras around the world—William Eddins returns to lead this rousing celebration. Order early to reserve the best seats for a joyful holiday celebration with family and friends!

Performance Details

Jarrett sings selections from Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and O Holy Night

William Eddins Conductor
Charlotte Blake Alston Speaker
Jarrett Ott Baritone
Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia
Dominick DiOrio Director

Mendelssohn “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
Traditional “Away in a Manger”
Traditional “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen”
Vaughan Williams Selections from Five Mystical Songs
Tchaikovsky/freely arr. Ellington and Strayhorn Selections from The Nutcracker Suite
Various A Charleston Christmas 
Adam “O Holy Night”
Holst “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Tovey “The Rittenhouse Carol”
Anderson Sleigh Ride
Various Medley of Christmas Favorites
Wade “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

You can almost hear the stamping of the reindeer hooves on the roof in these concerts, beloved by fans since the iconic Glorious Sound of Christmas® recording with Eugene Ormandy and the Orchestra was released in 1962. One of Your Philadelphia Orchestra’s favorite guest conductors—and a favorite with orchestras around the world—William Eddins returns to lead this rousing celebration. Order early to reserve the best seats for a joyful holiday celebration with family and friends!

Performance Details

Jarrett sings selections from Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and O Holy Night

William Eddins Conductor
Charlotte Blake Alston Speaker
Jarrett Ott Baritone
Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia
Dominick DiOrio Director

Mendelssohn “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
Traditional “Away in a Manger”
Traditional “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen”
Vaughan Williams Selections from Five Mystical Songs
Tchaikovsky/freely arr. Ellington and Strayhorn Selections from The Nutcracker Suite
Various A Charleston Christmas 
Adam “O Holy Night”
Holst “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Tovey “The Rittenhouse Carol”
Anderson Sleigh Ride
Various Medley of Christmas Favorites
Wade “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

You can almost hear the stamping of the reindeer hooves on the roof in these concerts, beloved by fans since the iconic Glorious Sound of Christmas® recording with Eugene Ormandy and the Orchestra was released in 1962. One of Your Philadelphia Orchestra’s favorite guest conductors—and a favorite with orchestras around the world—William Eddins returns to lead this rousing celebration. Order early to reserve the best seats for a joyful holiday celebration with family and friends!