Cherubini's 'Médée' Revived with Acclaimed Soprano Marina Rebeka

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Opera is experiencing a renewed interest in lesser-known works, particularly from the 18th and 19th centuries. Luigi Cherubini's 'Médée' is a prime example, with recent performances at the Opéra-Comique and in Naples, as well as the Palazzetto Bru Zane's innovative concert version at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. The Palazzetto Bru Zane's production aimed to reconstruct the opera as Cherubini might have envisioned it, recomposing recitatives, adding a ballet, and augmenting the orchestration in the style of Gluck. Acclaimed soprano Marina Rebeka delivered a powerful and emotionally charged performance in the title role, fully embodying the character.

Why it matters

The revival of 'Médée' demonstrates a growing appetite for 'forgotten' operatic masterpieces, as well as a trend towards historically informed performance practices and a willingness to explore alternative versions of well-known works. Institutions like the Palazzetto Bru Zane are crucial in providing the resources, expertise, and artistic vision necessary to bring these operas to life and preserve them for future generations.

The details

The Palazzetto Bru Zane's production of 'Médée' utilized a 'baroque' ensemble, Le Concert de la Loge, conducted by Julien Chauvin, and the choir of the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles. This choice aligned with the opera's period and offered a fresh perspective on a work born from the revolutionary era. The addition of a ballet, consistent with the expectations of the Paris Opera at the time, further enriched the presentation.

• The Palazzetto Bru Zane's concert version of 'Médée' was performed at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.