To Watch A Short Clip Click HerePlease
click here to download Windows Media Player for MAC.
Castor et Pollux is arguably Jean-Philippe Rameau's finest creation in the tragédie lyrique style. Its libretto, based in mythology, focuses on an unusual theme: the self-sacrifice love between Castor, who is mortal, and his immortal brother, Pollux. When Castor is killed while defending his beloved Télaïre from an attempted abduction, Pollux resolves to give up this immortality and take Castor's place in the Underworld. After passionate debate over who will live and who will die, the brothers are eternally united, transformed into the constellation Gemini.
The striking luminous sets, depicting a stylized version of the constellation, give this fabulous production a glorious 21st century baroque look.
This is a 2 DVD set!
"To turn almost three hours of obscure French baroque opera into a popular hit is the kind of stunt at which the Netherlands Opera excels. … All the singers are beautiful and polished…Veronique Gens as Phebe manages to rise beyond form and truly breathe life into her character's phrases. Gens's performance is radiant and burnished, full of subtlety and character."
- Bloomberg.com
Gramophone DVD of the Month February 2009 Five Stars * * * * *
- Classic FM
