LES INDES GALANTES – JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU
Composer Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
The opera is composed of a prologue, which begins with a French-style overture, and four acts (1735)
The Libretto by Louis Fuzelier
Spectacle interpreted in French, over-titrated in Romanian.
The show, first put on stage in Romania by director Andrei Şerban
Laudation
In this troubled scenery of life, in which envy, frustration, resentment make up the rule, a Baroque work unknown to the gallant Indies, we only enjoy. First of all, Rameau’s music is beautiful, sincere, pure. By listening to it, you have the impression that you are breathing the upper, detached, olympian air, the indifference to the misery of the moment. The subject is love, or more precisely its search in various exotic places, on imaginary shores, where there is no frustration, hate and none of the negative feelings we face daily. This music makes us walk serene over all these adversities. Through singing and dancing, we all live a few moments of light. I really think Rameau has a magical elixir.
There could not be a better opportunity to celebrate the music and the theater in this symbolic hall of Iasi, splendidly renovated, other than with this festive masterpiece.
Andrei Şerban
PROLOG IN CLOUDS
Hébé, the goddess of youth (sung by a soprano), urges young lovers to take advantage of love. Bellone, the goddess of war (played by a baritone), causes chaos and attracts men with the promise of warlike glory. The god Amor, the son of Venus (sung by a soprano) called for help, is inspired by Hébé to cross the seas to bring love on other continents, far away from Europe which is war-torn. A procession of divinities and deities go on their way to exotic shores free of conflicts.
FIRST ENTRANCE: THE INCAS OF PERU
Princess of the Incas, Phani, and the Spanish conquistador Don Carlos love each other in secret. But Huascar, the high priest of the Sun cult, wants Phani for himself. Seeing himself rejected by her, he sets up a stratagem to convince her that the Sun himself wants their marriage. Following the solemn rituals of the Incas, there are volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and fiery fires. Phani is ready to believe that the Sun is taking revenge for her betrayal when Don Carlos, who chased Huascar’s accomplices, reveals them: they have thrown stones in the craters to excite the disaster. Phani gave Carlos’s hand, while Huascar, full of remorse, beckoned death, ashamed of betraying the priestly oath.
SECOND ENTRY: THE GENEROS TURK
Emilie is the slave of Osman Pasha, who loves her, while she sighs after her beloved Valère, disappeared without a trace in the fight with the corsairs who kidnapped her during their marriage celebration. A terrible storm is raging, and Emilie laments the fate of the unfortunate people on the shore, taken immediately in Osman’s slavery. A Miracle: among them is Valère, who searched for her continuous. The joy of revisiting is quickly replaced by the despair that Osman is forever a burden to their happiness.
A new miracle is happening: Osman recognized Valère, who himself was once a generous master of his own, releasing him. To replicate his generosity, Osman gives Valère not only the freedom and the ships loaded with riches, but also Emilie, no matter how big his sacrifice is. Celebrations, songs and Levantine dances accompany preparations for their departure.
FRAGMENTS FROM THE THIRD ENTRANCE: THE FLOWERS (fragments)
As a transition to the fourth entrance, the show features two areas, a chorus and a ballet from the Persian Feasts – a feast of flowers and love through floral songs and dances.
FOURTH ENTRANCE: AMERICA’s SAVAGES
The French and Spanish conquerors ended the peace with the savages of the American forests. Frenchman Damon, an adherent of impassivity, and Spaniard Don Alvaro, a follower of constancy, disputes the favors of Princess Zima, who prefers her fellow countryman, the handsome Indian Adario. They all smoke the pipe and celebrate nature through Indian songs and dances.
A show by Andrei Şerban
Second Director Daniela Dima
Scenography Marina Draghici
Scenography adapted Carmencita Brojboiu
Nicky Woltz and Andrei Serban
Choreography Blanca Li
Assistant choreographer Deborah Torres
Lights Andrei Serban
Assistant directors Anca Serbanuta, Victor Zaharia
Musical training Adina Alupei, Simona Petronela Gâdei, Paula Stroe, Laura Turţu, Traian Hudumeac, Sebastian Spătaru