In 1733, the great philosopher Voltaire and the renowned composer Jean-Philippe Rameau created an opera inspired by the Bible (Book of Judges), “Samson”. However, the opera fell victim to censorship by the authorities of the time, who considered the subject scandalous and impious for introducing profane elements to a biblical narrative. Consequently, the libretto was never published, and the music was lost. It is known that Rameau reused some of “Samson” music for other operas.
Almost 300 years later, conductor Raphaël Pichon and director Claus Guth attempt to reconstitute the lost opera, not by reconstructing the lost partition, but by evoking its mood and spirit. Their approach results in a unique world premiere, mixing opera, drama theatre and dance choreography. The music is sourced from operas where Rameau reused pieces of “Samson” such as “Les Indes Galantes”, “Castor et Pollux”, “Les Fêtes d’Hébé”, and “Zoroastre”, as well as from less familiar operas. Sound artist Mathis Nitschke contributes by filling the gaps between the scenes with electronic music and by creating special sound effects for catastrophic events. These are complemented by depiction of divine interventions in slow motion with flickering lights and flashes, created by lighting designer Bertrand Couderc.
The libretto is partially reconstructed from the original written by Voltaire and integrated with stories from the Book of Judges. Eddy Garaudel, who is the artistic and editorial consultant of the ensemble Pygmalion, meticulously recreates a vocabulary that fits the French Baroque style.
The story of Samson is well-known, particularly the final part of his life involving his betrayal by Dalila, who discovers the secret of his strength, leading to the mass murder-suicide of the Philistines in the temple. Pichon and Guth tell the story from the beginning and from the mother’s point of view, here intensely portrayed by stage actress Andréa Ferréol. She recalls moments of Samson’s life in flashbacks inside the destroyed temple: the angel’s announcement, his childhood, his first marriage to Timna, his hermitage, and ultimately, his affair with Dalila and tragic ending. Samson here is portrayed as an anti-hero, endowed with superhuman strength from God to save the Hebrews, yet unable to control his power, anger or sensuality. He is an ambiguous character, both a saviour and a threat, a victim and a murderer. Baritone Jarrett Ott powerfully portrays Samson, expressing raw strength both vocally and physically.
The two main female characters stand out. Timna, portrayed by mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre, impresses the audience with her clarity, perfect intonation, and flawless legato; Dalila, interpreted by soprano Jacquelyn Stucker, captivates with her intensity, sensuality and vocal prowess. Tenor Laurence Kilsby portrays Samson’s friend Elon with unwavering loyalty, while bass Nahuel di Pierro gives a strong performance as the despicable enemy of Samson, Aschisch.
Raphaël Pichon and his ensemble Pygmalion are the soul of this production. Pichon is not only a connoisseur of Rameau but also a passionate lover of his music. His ensemble brings a unique sound, making the performance not just pleasant but compelling and charged with dramatic tension. They showcase the diverse aspects of Rameau’s music: the joy, the darkness, the dance and the tears. The choir plays an integral role in the action, not merely as observer, but as participant in the plot and stage choreography. Particularly effective is the visual contrast between the Hebrews in white and the Philistines in black, adding a further element of tension between the opposing sides.
This work is an interesting experiment and should not be missed for the greatness of its interpreters, the beauty of the music, and the originality of the approach.
Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
Théâtre de l’Archevêché, Aix-en-Provence, France
Music: Jean-Philippe Rameau, Mathis Nitschke
Libretto: François-Marie Arouet known as Voltaire, Eddy Garaudel
Conductor: Raphaël Pichon
Director: Claus Guth
Cast includes: Jarrett Ott, Jacquelyn Stucker, Lea Desandre, Nahuel di Pierro, Laurence Kilsby, Julie Roset, Andréa Ferréol
Orchestra and choir: Ensemble Pygmalion
Until the 18th of July 2024
Photo credit: Monika Rillershaus