Rameau - Les Indes galantes / Petibon · Agnew · Croft · Hartelius · Rivenq · de Niese · Panzarella · Le Roi · Les Arts Florissants · Christe - Serban (Opéra de Paris 2004) [DVD] [2003]

The prologue has a theme taken from mythology, and concerns the universality of Love. In first entrée, Le Turc Genereux (The Generous Turk) Osman sets free his captive, Emilie, whom he loves, so that she may be reunited with her former lover, Valère. It contains a descriptive storm scene, a chorus of sailors, and a ballet by African slaves.

In the second entrée, Les Incas de Perou, The Incas' Festival of the Sun is depicted in a grand spectacle full of choruses, symphonies, and airs. It is about the rivalry of the Inca Huascar and the Spaniard Don Carlos, both in pursuit of Princess Phani. It contains a musical earthquake, which is described in the orchestra by tremolos, and dissonant harmony, and was considered too difficult to perform. The music of this entrée is dissonant, emotionally sustained, and quite modern.

The third entrée, Les Fleurs (The Flowers), offers emotional release after so much drama. The dominant element in this entrée is the dance; there is no drama, only serene music. It is about Persian love intrigue, as the Sultana Fatima tries to detect whether her husband Tacmas has his eye on the lovely Atalide.

The final entrée, Les Sauvages (The Savages) was added at a much later date. Set in a North American forest, with Native American characters, after an initial amorous story, the main body of the entrée is built around the Ceremony of the Pipe of Peace. It is about a Spaniard and a Frenchman compete for the love of Zima, daughter of a native chief, who prefers one of her own people.

Opus Arte released this month a DVD version of This performance was recorded at the Opera de Paris - Palais Garnier in 2004. William Christie conducted the Les Arts Florissants chorus and orchestra. The director was Andrei Serban. Décor and costumes: Marina Draghici Choreography: Blanca Li. This proves to be the A team!! How can I start to describe what is going on stage? Mission impossible!

In the prologue the stage is crowded with people representing various mythological figures. The dancers are dressed in colorful Rococo styled costumes. The dancing is full with humor charm and imagination. From the singers, I liked Danielle de Niese as Hébé with a bright soprano. There is action all the time on stage. Never a dull moment!

In the first entrée, we are near the sea and the sea waves are shaped beautifully. The blue color dominates. I was very impressed with the singing of Anne-Maria Panzarella as Emilie. She has a beautiful voice and really knows how to sing this kind of music, as is evident from numerous recordings of Lully and Rameau she had made. Nicolas Cavallier is very good as Osman and Paul Agnew is an effective Valère. The sailor's dance is amusing and exotic and has a more modern character.

The second entrée, Incas of Peru is dominated by warm colors: red, yellow and orange. Nathan Berg is impressive in the role of Huascar. After the very effective earthquake where the mountains scenery is moving from side to side, comes the finale of this act, which is ending the first DVD, with the chorus praising the sun and this leaves a great impression.

In the third entrée, we meet two couples, which are playing disguising games: A mini Cosi fan tutte. The four singers are very good: Richard Croft, Nathan Berg, Gaële Le Roi and Malin Hartelius. In the middle of the act, the four are singing a quartet: this is extremely tender music of overwhelming beauty and fragility. And then follows the biggest divertissement: it begins with a funny dance of flowerpots and that dances for the flowers. This is a brilliant dance sequence. Wonderful!!

And than the last entrée. Nicolas Rivenq and the amazing Patricia Petibon are the Indian lovers. Christoph Strehl and Christophe Fel are the French and Spanish suitors. More exquisite music and brilliant dances. The highlight of the act is the dance of the savages and then the splendid duet with chorus "Forets Paisibles" (Peaceful forests).

It was not a short evening. The opera lasts a little more than three hours. But I haven't felt its length. The wealth of colors, the charming dances, and above all, Rameau's beautiful music, makes it such an entertaining experience, that time is really flying.

The second DVD contains a 50 minutes long documentary. Christie says, "Rameau is the greatest dance composer before Stravinsky. You cannot listen to his music without performing some dance movements...". Christie is proving his case, during the final applauses when he sings and dances with the rest of the performers the "Forets Paisibles" from the final entrée.

Technical quality is first rate. I cannot recommend this DVD highly enough. Magnifique!!