Prepare to be utterly enchanted!
Celebrated Australian director Neil Armfield makes his Pinchgut debut in a deliciously twisted comedy by one of the greatest French baroque composers.
Rameau clearly enjoyed himself composing this one-of-a-kind comédie lyrique, for the marriage of the Dauphin Louis XV to the Princess Maria Teresa of Spain – reputedly a woman of very little beauty – telling the story of the irresistibly outlandish marsh nymph Platée being tricked into believing that Jupiter is in love and wants to marry her.
Rameau takes aim at the very nature of French opera itself, turning tradition on its head with music of exceptional brilliance and wit, and sweeping away the studied elegance of set-piece ballets with ravishing melodies and striking shifts of mood and colour.
“As tour-de-force… The score under Helyard changes quickly from storms to serenity, from parody to poignancy, its textures mutating from spontaneous sighs to richly woven polyphony. Theatrically, Armfield’s unflagging production is, for me, the best in Pinchgut’s 20-year history.” ★★★★★
“A Pinchgut Opera production is always a treat of anticipation, and Platée is no exception… An electrifying production, visually, musically, historically and every other which way.” ★★★★★
“Kanen Breen dazzles in a riotous production of Rameau’s comedy directed by Neil Armfield… A terrifically entertaining show that whizzes along with effervescent wit” ★★★★.5
“The after party you can’t miss… Pinchgut’s Platée is the kind of frog you should want to kiss. It’s frankly outstanding. Go see it now” ★★★★★
Cast
Platée Kanen Breen
Jupiter Peter Coleman-Wright AO
Juno Cheryl Barker AO
La Folie / Amour Cathy-Di Zhang
Mercury / Thespis Nicholas Jones
Cithéron / Satire Adrian Tamburini
Momus David Greco
Clarine / Chorus Chloe Lankshear
Thalie / Chorus Amy Moore
Chorus Cantillation
Orchestra Orchestra of the Antipodes
Creative Team
Director Neil Armfield
Conductor Erin Helyard
Designer Stephen Curtis
Movement Director Shannon Burns
Lighting Designer Alexander Berlage
Video Designer Sean Bacon