Bellérophon

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
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

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

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

Sources
  1. "Bellerophon". Grove Music Online. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  2. http://www.qobuz.com/album/christophe-rousset-les-talens-lyriques-lully-bellerophon-tragedie-lyrique-sur-un-livret-de-thomas-corneille/0794881993222
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