[Language: Italian with Burnt-in French Subtitles]

Medea ("Médée") is a French language Opéra-Comique by Luigi Cherubini. The libretto by François-Benoît Hoffman (Nicolas Étienne Framéry) was based on Euripides' tragedy of Medea and Pierre Corneille's play Médée. It is set in the ancient city of Corinth. A mother who avenges her husband's betrayal in the blood of their own children: Medea is undoubtedly the most violent and chilling myth that has come down to us from ancient Greece. It stages a taboo that revolts us and sends us back to the darkest depths of the human soul, infanticide.

Medea is an ancient myth that is remarkably topical. The protagonist comes from the periphery of the known world and is a visible stranger in a civilised country; she disturbs peace and order, and becomes a hateful, avenging angel of death and destruction. Since the period of the ancient tragic poets, the material of Medea, Jason, and the Golden Fleece has often been staged in both opera houses and theatres alike, including around 1800 in Paris.

The native Florentine Luigi Cherubini came to the French metropolis in the 1780s to make his mark as an operatic composer. With his »Medée« of 1797, he achieved considerable success, which carried over into the following century. The dramatic intensification of Maria Callas’ performance in the 1950s brought new attention to the work. Cherubini, who remained in Paris and became one of the most prominent composers of his time, was inspired by the ancient tragic operas written by Gluck to create this work of profound seriousness and epic expression. The opera features significant scenes for the protagonist, skilfully composed choral and ensemble movements, and atmospheric introductions to each of the three acts. However, once Medea appears, the eponymous heroine takes centre stage as a captivating presence.

Director: Alan Woodbridge (Director), Marko Letonja (Music Conductor)
Cast: Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, MEDEA: Alexandra Deshorties, CREONTE: Daniel Okulitch, GLAUCE: Grazia Doronzio, GIASONE: Andrea Carè, NERIS: Sara Mingardo, UN CAPITAINE: Alexander Milev, LA STYLISTE: Johanna Rudström, SON ASSISTANT: Magdalena Risberg