Mathias Vidal: Rameau Triumphant

Concert

Mathias Vidal: Rameau Triumphant

Cast

Presentation

Homepage Mathias Vidal: Rameau Triumphant

Cast

Mathias Vidal Haute-contre

Ensemble Marguerite Louise

Gaétan Jarry Conductor

Presentation

Rameau was undeniably the master of French opera in the 18th century, writing for the stage from 1733 until his death in 1764. These three decades saw the creation of around thirty operatic works, in which the role of the French haute-contre voice was significant, to the point of being the embodiment of most title roles: Platée, Castor, Dardanus, Zoroastre, Hippolyte, Pygmalion…

This very particular voice in French music was epitomized during Rameau’s time by Pierre de Jelyotte, who premiered most of the Master’s great works.

Today, singer Mathias Vidal is one of the brightest representatives of this haute-contre range and one of the foremost specialists of this music, dedicating a significant part of his lyrical career to it. He has also performed on stage in the majority of Rameau’s operas, embodying their characters with evident mastery. Together with Gaétan Jarry, he has designed a program of the most brilliant and expressive arias, adding two complementary elements: the opportunity to sing recital pieces accompanied by a choir (often omitted for budgetary reasons) and to present magnificent haute-contre arias that are not the lead roles (Thespis in Platée, Calisis in Les Boréades…).

This selection highlights the radiant voice of Mathias Vidal, a pillar of the Opéra Royal de Versailles, where, from Mozart to Berlioz and Offenbach, he has also showcased his resilient tenor voice; but it is undoubtedly in the great baroque works that he feels most “at home.” For a French singer passionate about the 17th-18th century repertoire, recording a recital of Rameau’s Haute-Contre at Versailles is truly a crowning achievement!

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Programme

Arias from operas by Jean-Philippe Rameau

Les Fêtes de Polymnie

Prologue: Ouverture

Dardanus

Act IV, Scene 3: Aria of Dardanus “Hâtons-nous, courons à la gloire…”

Prologue, Scene 2: Tambourins 1 & 2

Act IV, Scene 3: Calme des sens (tender aria). Gavotte vive. Triumphant aria (vivement) – Trio of the three dreams “Il est temps de courir aux armes…”

Les Indes Galantes

Act I “Le Turc généreux”: Aria of Valère “Hâtez-vous de vous embarquer…”

Platée

Act I, Scene 6: Orage

Zoroastre

Act IV, Scene 5: Air grave: Ballet for the infernal spirits

Naïs

Act III, Scene 5: Aria of Neptune “Cessez de ravager la terre”. Contredanse

Les Fêtes de Polymnie

Act III, Scene 7: Air vif

Pygmalion

Scene 5: Aria of Pygmalion “L’Amour triomphe”

Dardanus

Act V, Scene 3: Chaconne

Pygmalion

Scene 5: Aria of Pygmalion “Règne, Amour”

Castor et Pollux

Act II, Scene 5: Air for the athletes. Aria of Pollux “Éclatez fières trompettes”

Les Boréades

Act III, Scene 3: Aria of Calisis “Jouissons, jouissons de nos beaux ans”

Act IV, Scene 4: Entrée de Polymnie

Platée

Prologue, Scene 3: Aria of Thespis “Momus, Amour, Dieu des raisins, formons un spectacle nouveau”. Contredanse en Rondeau. “Chantons Bacchus”

Les Fêtes de Polymnie

Act II, Scene 6: Aria of Antiochus “Peuples heureux, unissez-vous à moi”

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And also…

Rameau Triomphant

N°39

Jean-Philippe Rameau’s legacy has undoubtedly left a deep imprint on the French musical scene, through his numerous operas and lyrical tragedies. Let Mathias Vidal’s spellbinding voice guide you through the composer’s universe, from the palace of Love of Cythera to the Indian Seas!

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