Synopsis
Listen to the synopsis
A return to its roots for Castor et Pollux, Jean-Philippe Rameau’s lyric tragedy first performed in 1737 at the Académie royale and inspired by the mythological episode of the Gemini.
Rarely performed in its original version – the score was reworked by Rameau himself in 1754 –, this daring work plays on contrasts and expressiveness, as in the famous “Tristes apprêts”. The aria is sung by Télaïre mourning the death of her fiancé Castor, killed in battle, before her twin brother Pollux descends into the Underworld to ask his father, Jupiter, to bring him back to life.
While this opera celebrates brotherly love, its prologue poses an essential question for director Peter Sellars: how do you stop a war and its attendant hatred and resentment?
Duration : 3h20 with 1 interval
Language : French
Surtitle : French / English
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Opening
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First part 105 min
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Intermission 30 min
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Second part 65 min
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End
Artists
Lyric tragedy with a prologue and five acts (1737)
Creative team
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Jean-Philippe Rameau Music -
Pierre-Joseph Bernard Libretto -
Teodor Currentzis Conductor -
Vitaly Polonsky Chorus master -
Peter Sellars Director -
Cal Hunt Lead choreographer -
Camille Assaf Costume design -
James F. Ingalls Lighting design -
Alex MacInnis Video -
Antonio Cuenca Ruiz Dramaturgy -
Joelle Aoun Set design -
Orchestre et Chœur Utopia Orchestra and Chorus
Cast
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Jeanine De Bique Télaïre -
Reinoud Van Mechelen Castor -
Marc Mauillon Pollux -
Stéphanie d'Oustrac Phébé -
Nicholas Newton Mars, Jupiter, an athlete -
Claire Antoine Minerve, Une Suivante d’Hébé -
Laurence Kilsby L’Amour, Le Grand-Prêtre, un Athlète -
Natalia Smirnova Vénus, une ombre heureuse
Orchestre et Choeurs Utopia
Dance and choreography: Christopher Beaubrun, Jin Lee Baobei, Andrew Coleman dit « Finesse », Xavier Days dit « X », Ablaye Diop, Ange Emmanuel dit « Kendrickble », Kenza Kabisso, Joshua Morales dit « Sage », Tom Mornet Bouchiba dit « Tomorrow », Cordell Purnell dit « Storm », Sarah Querut, Edwin Saco dit « Jamsy », Océane Valence
“Castor et Pollux” will be recorded by France Musique for broadcast on February 22 at 8 pm in the program ‘Samedi à l'opéra’ presented by Judith Chaine, then available for streaming on the France Musique website and Radio France app.
Media
Access and services
Palais Garnier
Place de l'Opéra
75009 Paris
Public transport
Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)
Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16
Calculate my route
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Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
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Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
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Restaurant
CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).
At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Palais Garnier
- Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
- Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97
Online
Palais Garnier
Place de l'Opéra
75009 Paris
Public transport
Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)
Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16
Calculate my route
-
Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
-
Restaurant
CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).
At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Palais Garnier
- Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
- Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97
Online
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3 min
Castor et Pollux
Castor et Pollux, the true/false story
Two brothers sharing the great trial of life, death and love. Story of human life! Can you untangle this complex synopsis of Rameau’s Castor et Pollux to discover this opera?
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Partners
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With the support of the Cercle Berlioz
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