The enchantress best loved by composers, Medea is the heroine of several remarkable operas. The masterpiece of French lyric tragedy that Charpentier composed at the end of the 17th century is one of the most faithful to the fantastic aspects of the ancient myth.

Betrayed by her husband Jason, the Colchian princess takes revenge by bewitching her adversaries, stabbing her children and offering a dress covered with poison to Créuse, her rival. The ambivalence of her character, between grandeur and monstrosity, opens myriad dramatic possibilities that stage director Pierre Audi grasps with both hands, in partnership with the painter Jonathan Meese, one of Berlin’s leading contemporary artists.

In musical terms, the orchestration of delicate airs and their feverish dramatisation hold no secrets for Emmanuelle Haïm, who has already explored to broad acclaim the repertoires of Lully and Rameau. This new production reunites voices perfectly attuned to the exactness of French diction and theatrical declamation required by the language of the librettist Thomas Corneille (brother of Pierre).

These singers are also renowned tragedians who promise to burn down the house. In a manner of speaking … When Médée was performed in Lille on 17 November 1700, seven years after its premier at the Theâtre du Palais-Royal, the fireworks used on stage set fire to the theatre.

Lyric tragedy by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704) composed in 1693 for the Royal Music Academy.
Libretto in French by Thomas Corneille.

Conductor Emmanuelle Haïm
Director Pierre Audi
Assistant to the stage director Maria Lamont
Scenography Jonathan Meese, Marlies Forenbacher
Costumes Jorge JaraLights Jean Kalman
Lights Jean Kalman
Dramaturgy Willem Bruls
Choreography Kim Brandstrup
Singing Master Benoît Hartoin

With

Michèle Losier Médée
Anders Dahlin Jason
Sophie Karthäuser Créuse
Stéphane Degout Oronte
Laurent Naouri Créon
Aurélia Legay Nérine
Élodie Kimmel Cléone
Katherine Watson an italian, a ghost
Benoît Arnould Arcas

Le Concert d’Astrée
Ensemble in residency at Lille Opera.
Société Générale Patronage Musicale is principal patron of Le Concert d’Astree.

EVENINGS OF PERFORMANCE
MEDEa MAGICIAN
EXHIBITION
Musical edtions and other documents dating back from the first performance of Medea in Lille in 1700.
In collaboration with the Bibliothèque Municipale de Lille.

EVENINGS OF PERFORMANCE
PROJECTION OF JONATHAN MEESE’S FILMS
Discover in the hall Jonathan Meese’s videos, scenographer of Medea.

SA 10 NOVEMBER 11.30PM
AN ENCOUNTER
with the artists following the performance. Free admission.

TU 13 NOVEMBER
FRANCE MUSIQUE
France Musique relocates its antenna in Lille and makes an appointment with the public for a day of radio programs in live at the Furet du Nord.
7:30 pm : Medea in live at the Lille Opera.

WE 14 NOVEMBER 8PM
PUBLIC MASTER-CLASS
with Laurent Naouri and professionnal singers from the region.
In collaboration with Domaine Musiques and Club Lyrique Régional.
Free admission. Reservations start on 16th october
T 0820 48 9000 / billetterie@opera-lille.fr