The Paladins by Rameau, From (2022/2022), Conductor Valentin Tournet, Opéra Royal, Versailles, France

Lyric comedy in three acts on a libretto by Duplat de Monticourt premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris in 1760. Here resurrected the forgotten lyrical comedy Shoot: in 1760, at seventy-seven, Paladins will be his last work presented to the public. Inspired by the triumph of his other comedy, Platée , Rameau gives in emphasis and excess, makes the orchestra shine and the singers leap, with turns raised on the comic tone, and magnificent sentimental pages. In this Middle Ages of fantasy, here is the comedy of characters brilliantly treated in caricature: the beautiful Argie prisoner of the monstrous Orcan, the Paladin Atis freeing his bride, the Fairy Manto triggering demons and furies, and transfiguring the castle with a dance of Pagodas and Chinese entertainment! Valentin Tournet twirls his magnificent soloists and La Chapelle Harmonique for this latest jewel of Rameau!