Les Plaisirs de Versailles (Charpentier) Sydney 2023 Pinchgut Opera
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Les Plaisirs de Versailles
- Composer: Charpentier Marc-Antoine
- Libretto: unknown Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: City Recital Hall, Sydney, Australia
- Recorded: September 2023
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: Lauren Lodge-Campbell, Cathy-Di Zhang, Hannah Fraser, Michael Petruccelli, David Grecoare
- Conductor: Erin Helyard
- Orchestra: Orchestra of the Anitpodes
- Stage Director: Shannon Burns
- Stage Designer: Melanie Liertz
- Costume Designer:
Information about the Recording
- Published by: Pinchgut Opera
- Date Published: 2023
- Format: Streaming
- Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
- Subtitles: yessubs, ensubs
- Video Recording from: Pinchgut at Home FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
In 1682, Louis XIV initiated the “Fêtes d’appartement”, a series of festivities in the intimate rooms of the Grand Apartments at the Palace of Versailles. Three times a week, from 6 until 10 in the evening, a variety of entertainments were held for the enjoyment of the king and his favourites. Here, Pinchgut presents the live recording of the theatrical representations of these two divertissements, or “tiny operas” by Charpentier.
Les plaisirs de Versailles is a witty allegory of an evening’s pleasures at Versailles. An argument between the refined Music and the chattering Conversation is mediated by Comus, the god of feasting, who offers everyone hot chocolate, wine and nibbles – to no avail. Gambling fares no better with his offerings, but laughter reconciles all discontent! Love Conquers All is a sweet tale of shepherds and shepherdesses falling in and out of love.