Tragédie mise en musique in 5 acts and a prologue by Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Libretto by Thomas Corneille. Premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris on December 4, 1693.

New production in French in coproduction with the English National Opera
Sung in French with English and French surtitles

The only lyrical tragedy of Marc-Antoine Charpentier constitutes the third part of the Myth of Medea that the Grand Théâtre has been sharing with you for several seasons. First of all it was the Medea by Cherubini (14-15 season), then Il Giasone (16-17) by Cavalli at the Opéra des Nations and at the Théâtre de Versailles. The sorceress, Medea, has been a constant inspiration to artists from antiquity to the present day. Involved in infanticide, fratricide and regicide, Medea is the true embodiment of the tragic person, the ultimate lover, who breaks every taboo. Cast aside for a younger woman by her husband, Jason, she assassinates her rival and her own children and completely ruins Jason’s happiness. Médéeis the great work of Charpentier, it is both a culmination and a testament. He finally came to opera at 50 years of age because, at that period, the privilege of the opera was held by Lully. David McVicar, who had impressed us with his reading of Wozzeck, is back on stage at the place de Neuve and revisits Charpentier’s masterpiece in the company of La Cappella Mediterranea, directed by Leonardo García Alarcón.

Musical Director, Leonardo García Alarcón
Stage Director, David McVicar
Set & costumes Designer, Bunny Christie
Lighting Designer, Paule Constable
Choreographer, Lynne Page
Médée, Anna-Caterina Antonacci
Jason,  Cyril Auvity
Créon, Willard White
Créuse, Keri Fuge
Chœur du Grand Théâtre de Genève
Direction, Alan Woodbridge             
Cappella Mediterranea