Armide

Inspired by Tasso, Lully’s Armide had been illustrating the climax of French opera since 1686. Writing a new score from Quinet’s libretto, 91 years later, was a challenge. But as he settled in Paris, Gluck pushed his conception of scenic truth, musical expression and tragedy effectiveness forward thanks to Queen Marie-Antoinette, who witnessed the triumph of her protégé.

Lilo Baur, stage director, and Christophe Rousset, musical director, enliven the battles, the enchantments and giddy passions overwhelming one of the greatest heroines of the repertoire, embodied by Véronique Gens, for her first leading role at the Opéra Comique.

Heroic drama in five acts. Libretto by Philippe Quinault. Created at the Académie royale de musique (Opéra) in 1777