ONLINE – Rameau: Castor et Pollux

This is the streamed, On Demand recording of the live performance that took place on 15 May at the Sheldonian Theatre. The stream is available until Sunday 31 July.

UK ONLINE PREMIERE (abridged for semi-staged performance, running time approx. 2 hours)

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) is the leading French contemporary of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, and his 30 lavish stage works composed for the Paris of Louis XV place him among the top three opera composers of the eighteenth century. The live  performance was the very first chance in the UK to hear his Castor et Pollux in its original and revolutionary version of 1737 – this opera has something for everyone to enjoy: rousing choruses, toe-tapping dances and some of Baroque music’s most beautiful arias.

Castor et Pollux has been reconstructed by Oxford conductor Jonathan Williams whose previous Rameau performances with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and English Touring Opera have been so enjoyed by Oxford audiences. Giving this performance are the Rameau Project Choir and Orchestra and a starry cast which includes Hilary Cronin (double winner of the 2021 Handel Singing Competition) and renowned baritone Peter Harvey. The production also gave a platform to rising stars within opera to showcase their talents so taking on the role of Castor is Rory Carver and the role of Pollux will be sung by Jack Lawrence-Jones.

The libretto by soldier-turned-poet Pierre-Joseph Bernard is a classic tale of revenge, passion, jealousy and self-sacrifice. Inspiring Rameau to some of his finest music, Castor et Pollux was rightly hailed as his ‘crowning achievement’. The drama was brought to life for us through a new semi-staging by director Guido Martin-Brandis, whose recent productions have been critically acclaimed by The Times and Opera Now.

The recording will be available for a month. When you buy a ticket, you will have access to watch the video whenever you want until 11.59pm on Sunday 31 July. Click to read the Rameau Castor et Pollux 15 May programme.

Check out the rehearsal videos and photos below.

Find out more:
The Rameau Project Website
Rameau Rising Stars
The Opera Company website

 This event is brought to you thanks to the generous support of Mrs Aline Foriel-Destezet and by the Humanities Cultural Programme. To find out more about the project, please visit www.torch.ox.ac.uk/castor-et-pollux-rameaus-rising-stars

Follow @Rameau_Rising_Stars

‘[Jonathan Williams] led his forces in an interpretation of captivating vigour and elegance’.
Opera Magazine (On 15 May performance of Rameau’s Castor et Pollux)

‘Hilary Cronin sang her role with a rich palette of tone and nuance. The baritone Jack Lawrence-Jones made a sterling, resolute Pollux and Rory Carver as Castor…rapidly established his haute-contre credentials with ‘Séjour de l’éternelle paix’. Peter Harvey was suitably and stylishly souverain as Mars and Jupiter, and Jenni Harper brought shining clarity to Vénus and two smaller roles. In the prologue Emily Gray was a galvanising physical and vocal presence as Minerve.’
Opera Magazine (On 15 May performance of Rameau’s Castor et Pollux)

‘Wonderfully idiomatic conducting from Williams…’
The Guardian (with the Orchestra of Enlightenment)

‘I can’t imagine anything more happiness enhancing… a transporting little delight’
★★★★★ Opera Now (for Guido Martin-Brandis – The Opera Company’s Rameau’s Roots)