Les Boreades

"Rameau is one of the universal geniuses in European music history, at the same level as Bach, Mozart and Haydn," emphasizes conductor György Vashegyi. Under his leadership, a ten-year Rameau project was set up in collaboration with the Centre de musique baroque de Versaille. The cycle is now concluded with the recording of Rameau's last stage work Les Boréades. The leading roles are performed by the celebrated French soprano Sabine Devieilhe and Belgian tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen, accompanied by the Orfeo Orkest and the Purcell choir. The online music magazine Concert Classique wrote about a concert performance with the same high-caliber cast at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris: "Rameau's genius shines through at every moment." Central to the opera is Alphise, queen of Bactria, who is desired by three men at once. She renounces the throne out of love for a (at first glance) simple man from the people. Mythological gods such as Cupid, Apollo and the eponymous wind god Borée play an important role. Rameau brings their magical powers to life in the music, including the all-devastating storm. As a late work, Les Boréades demonstrates all the skills of its creator in condensed form. But despite the compelling plot and artistic finesse, it took more than 200 years before the work, written in 1763, finally premiered. During Rameau's lifetime, rehearsals were cancelled. It is possible that the Freemasonry idea of the equality of all people was considered too sensitive shortly before the outbreak of the revolution.