Following Céphale et Procris by Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, the Belgian ensemble and its conductor are delighted to perform a lyric tragedy in concert version for the second time.
The myth of Medea and Jason has inspired many composers and librettists, the best-known French version of the opera being Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Médée. Reinoud Van Mechelen and his ensemble a nocte temporis have chosen to revive Joseph-François Salomon's version, which appeared twenty years before Charpentier's. Médée et Jason from 1713 has fallen into oblivion, but nevertheless enjoyed great popularity in the 18th century, as the opera was revived several times at La Monnaie in Brussels in 1726. Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, also librettist of Jean-Philippe Rameau's Hippolyte et Aricie, opts for a highly psychological interpretation of the myth. From the outset, the main characters are full of doubts about the choices they have to make, creating a complex but emotionally captivating version. Salomon emphasises the effects with fiery arias and powerful instrumental effects.
