Thursday 12 October 2017 Sheldonian Theatre

ETO: Dardanus

English Touring Opera

Dardanus – Rameau’s ravishing, romantic tale of love and war – is English Touring Opera’s first foray into the exotic world of French baroque opera. It is also the premiere in the UK of the revised 1744 version, which is widely considered to be the composer’s masterpiece.

Jupiter’s son Dardanus is in love with Iphise, the daughter of his enemy Teucer – a love that, though reciprocated, is forbidden. From this simple premise, Rameau unleashes music of eloquent power, which describes the love that hurts, that sets father against daughter, that seems like treason – but that is somehow right, despite all that.
Dr Jonathan Williams (founder of Oxford University’s Rameau Project) conducts, and poetic director Douglas Rintoul directs a remarkable cast of young singers including Anthony Gregory, Galina Averina, Timothy Nelson, Grant Doyle and Frederick Long. Don’t miss this one chance to discover this extraordinary opera – just listen ahead to the aria Lieux funestes and get a taste of Rameau’s seductive new musical world.

Please note that this is a concert performance and as such there will be no set or costumes.