Bellérophon is an opera with music by Jean-Baptiste Lully and a libretto by Thomas Corneille and Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle first performed by the Opéra at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris on 31 January 1679.

Cover of Bellérophon

The libretto is based on Hesiod's Theogony.[1] The opera played for nine months and was one of Lully's greatest successes.

Roles

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Cast Voice type Premiere, 31 January 1679
(Conductor: - )
Apollon (prologue) bass François Beaumavielle
Pan (prologue) baritone Arnoul
Bacchus (prologue) tenor Roy
Bellérophon haute-contre Bernard Clédière
Sténobée soprano de Saint-Christophe
Philonoé soprano Marie Aubry
Argie mezzo-soprano Bony
Pallas mezzo-soprano de La Prée
Jobate baritone Jean Gaye
Amisodar bass Nouveau
Pythie tenor Roy
Sacrificial priest bass Pulvigny

Synopsis

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The queen Sténobée (soprano), spurned by Bellérophon (tenor) who loves the princess Philonoé (soprano), has the magician Amisodar (bass) turn the garden into a barren desert and summon a chimera which terrorizes the country of Lycia. Apollo (tenor) appears and all is solved.

Modern performances

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The first performance in modern times was by Les Talens Lyriques conducted by Christophe Rousset at the Festival of Beaune, 24 July 2010. It was followed by a two performances in Paris, the first of which was recorded and released in 2011 by the record label Aparté.[2]

Recording

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  • Bellérophon Cyril Auvity, Ingrid Perruche, Céline Scheen, Les Talens Lyriques, conducted by Christophe Rousset (Aparté, 2 CDs, 2011)

Sources

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  1. ^ Rosow, Lois; McClymonds, Marita P. (2002). "Bellerophon". Grove Music Online. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O011502. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Album Lully : Bellérophon, Christophe Rousset | Qobuz: Download and streaming in high quality".
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