Les Boréades

This last opera by the absolute master of the French Baroque can be considered his musical testament. In 1763, the rehearsals were in full swing when the composer died. The premiere was cancelled but the exact reasons for this are unknown. The death of the composer certainly can not be the only reason. The opera was musically far ahead of its time and here and there even reminds us of an early Mozart. Perhaps the libretto, in which the ruling power is not very flatteringly described, was a reason to cancel this opera prematurely?

The story of Les Boréades is set in ancient Thrace (the Balkans) and revolves around Queen Alphise, who is forced to marry a descendant of the northern Wind-Gods, the Boreads. However, she is in love with Abaris, who ultimately turns out to have divine descent.

In Jéliote, haute-contre de Rameau, Reinoud and a nocte temporis already performed some highlights from this absolute masterpiece, Les Boréades by Jean-Philippe Rameau. However, a nocte temporis is burning with impatience to now present you this entire work.

After many years of being active as a soloist with conductors such as William Christie, Philippe Herreweghe, Hervé Niquet, etc., Reinoud Van Mechelen founded his own ensemble in 2016: a nocte temporis. The ensemble started its career with chamber music and continues to explore this repertoire. Since 2018, a nocte temporis also presents extensive programmes for soloists and orchestra in which Reinoud sings and conducts. In its relatively short existence, a nocte temporis has already played at numerous prestigious venues and festivals at home and abroad.

More info

www.anoctetemporis.org

artistic director Reinoud Van Mechelen with Reinoud Van Mechelen (Abaris), Lore Binon (Semire, Polymnie, l'Amour), Gwendoline Blondeel (Alphise), Linard Vrielink (Calisis), Cyril Costanzo (Borée), Philippe Estèphe (Adamas/Apollon) and Tomáš Král (Borilée) orchestra a nocte temporis choir Choeur de Chambre de Namur photo Alexandra Syskova