This double bill comprises two fully staged one-act opéra-ballets, including the notable debut of a never-before performed Rameau comedy titled Io. This unfinished opéra-ballet was recently completed with music from Rameau's Platée by Doctor of Musicology and foremost scholar and editor of Rameau Opera Omnia Sylvie Bouissou. The other work, a modern premiere of Pierre de La Garde’s Léandre et Héro, is a lyric drama in which M. de Pompadour herself performed and which recently came to light through efforts of Opera Lafayette and the Bibliotheque Nationale.

“Theatrical genius” (The New Yorker), and a “renowned, multifaceted artist” (Vogue), Machine Dazzle will create more than a dozen new costumes for the Io production. In roles ranging from gods to mortals, singers and dancers alike will don Dazzle’s works of art. Learn more about Machine Dazzle.

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Opéra-ballet: Rameau’s Io and de La Garde’s Léandre et Héro

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Terrace Theater
Tuesday, May 3, 2023, 7:30 pm

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CAST & CREW

The productions will feature dance Seán Curran Company (choreographer Seán Curran) and New York Baroque Dance Company (choreographer Catherine Turocy).

Emmanuelle de Negri, soprano, and Maxime Melnik, tenor (U.S. debut) will star in the title roles and be joined by Doug Williams, Gwendoline Blondeel, and Patrick Kilbride. 

Avi Stein will conduct and Nick Olcott will return to Opera Lafayette to direct.