Platée 2007

Synopsis
Artists

Even the ugliest frog in the pond deserves a date once in a while!

But when Platée trains her matrimonial gun sights on the great god Jupiter, a side-splitting comeuppance is inevitable.

Music by

Jean-Philippe Rameau

Libretto by

Adrien-Joseph Le Valois d'Orville

Prologue

Thespis, “the inventor of comedy,” is awakened from a drunken sleep. Thalie, the muse of comedy, and Momus, the god of satire, enlist his aid in staging a performance designed to correct the faults of mortals and gods alike – they will offer a reenactment of the means Jupiter once used to cure Juno’s jealousy. Love arrives, furious that she was left out. No play could give pleasure without her inspiration and they all promise a new entertainment.

Act I

Violent wind assails King Cithéron’s mountain. Mercury descends from the heavens, explaining that the storm is due to Juno’s jealousy. Cithéron has a solution. Platée, a water nymph from the neighboring marsh, is exceedingly vain but unattractive. If Jupiter feigns mad love for Platée, Juno will discover that her jealousy is groundless and they will be happily reunited. Platée arrives, and Mercury ascends to tell Jupiter the plan. Platée is convinced that Cithéron is in love with her. She becomes irritated by his indignant refusals. Mercury returns to tell Platée the great news: Jupiter is in love with her and will soon descend to declare it. A great storm ensues, but Platée and her marshy subjects welcome the torrent.

Act II

Mercury has sent Juno on a wild-goose-chase to Athens. He and Cithéron hide to watch the success of their plan. Arriving in a chariot with Momus, Jupiter first reveals himself to the enchanted Platée first as a donkey, then as an owl. Finally appearing in person during a rain of fire, he declares his love to the frightened Platée. Folly suddenly bursts in, having stolen Apollo’s lyre, and she sings a witty song, followed by several dances. Her flurry of frenzied genius encourages the union of Jupiter and his “New Juno.”

Act III

The furious Juno returns from Athens. Mercury persuades her to hide until the moment is right. The wedding procession arrives with a veiled Platée. She laments the absence of Hymen (god of marriage) and of Love. Momus appears, crudely disguised as Cupid. He presents Platée with Cupid’s gifts: tears, pains, wails, and hope, all of which Platée rejects. At the crucial moment, with no sign of Juno, Jupiter stalls. Finally, Juno bursts in and rips off the bridal veil to reveal Platée’s face. Astonished, Juno realizes her mistake and bursts out laughing. Happily reunited, all the gods return to the heavens, while Folly and the mortals tease Platée.

Synopsis

Prologue

Act I

Act II

Act III

Artists

Jean-Paul Fouchécourt

Jean-Paul Fouchécourt

David Pittsinger

David Pittsinger

Norman Reinhardt

Norman Reinhardt

Heidi Stober

Heidi Stober

Joshua Hopkins

Joshua Hopkins

Wilbur Pauley

Wilbur Pauley

Leena Chopra

Leena Chopra

Ariana Chris

Ariana Chris

Harry Bicket

Harry Bicket

Laurent Pelly

Laurent Pelly

Christian Räth

Christian Räth

Chantal Thomas

Chantal Thomas

Caroline Ginet

Caroline Ginet

Duane Schuler

Duane Schuler

Laura Scozzi

Laura Scozzi

Olivier Sferlazzi

Olivier Sferlazzi

Gregory Buchalter

Gregory Buchalter

Platée 2007