AT THE OPERA
Anniversaries, Part 11
Prepared and presented by Paul Roper

Rameau, J-P. Dardanus. Opera in five acts. Libretto by Charles-Antoine Leclerc de La Bruère. First performed Paris, 1739.   

   VENUS: Mireille Delunsch, sop
CUPID, PLEASURE: Françoise Masset, sop
DARDANUS: John Mark Ainsley, ten
TEUCER: Russell Smythe, ten
IPHIS: Véronique Gens, sop
ANTÉNOR: Laurent Naouri, bar
ISMÉNOR: Jean-Philippe Courtis, bar
Les Musiciens du Louvre Ch & O/Marc Minkowski
Archiv 476 7250 [02:35:43]

   Venus encourages the Pleasures to reign in Cupid’s palace. Jealousy and her attendants attempt to disrupt them by causing them and Cupid to fall asleep. Venus urges Jealousy to awaken them, and Cupid urges all mortals to pay him homage. They then proceed to re-enact the story of Dardanus.
Dardanus, son of Jupiter, co-founded the royal house of Troy with Teucer, King of Phrygia. They have since fallen out, and are now at war. Teucer’s daughter, Iphis, has feelings for Dardanus but is discouraged by her father. Teucer announces a military alliance with Anténor, another Trojan leader, to whom Iphis is to be given in marriage (to her dismay).
The priest-magician, Isménor, offers to help Dardanus woo Iphis, displaying his powers by causing an eclipse of the sun. He bestows on Dardanus a staff that will allow him to disguise himself as Isménor. This power is invoked and Iphis approaches the supposed Isménor, seeking help in overcoming her love for Dardanus, who sheds his disguise and pledges his reciprocal love. Embarrassed, Iphis runs away.
Dardanus has been captured. Anténor tells Iphis that this military success allows them to marry that day but Iphis rejects him. The Phrygian people’s victory celebrations are short-lived, as they learn that Neptune has despatched a sea-monster in retaliation for the mistreatment of Jupiter’s son. Anténor prepares for battle again.
Jupiter orders Venus to free Dardanus in his sleep. She summons Dreams which depict Dardanus fighting the sea-monster which, so encouraged, he proceeds to do. He also rescues Anténor, who doesn’t recognise Dardanus and presents him with a sword in gratitude. Dardanus asks Anténor to promise that Iphis can reject him as a suitor if she chooses.
In the belief that it was Anténor who killed the monster, Teucer welcomes him home triumphantly. Dardanus offers to give back Anténor’s sword but Anténor keeps his word by abandoning his wish to marry Iphis. Venus descends and reconciles the warring parties, and Cupid prepares for the marriage of Dardanus and Iphis.

Rameau, J-P. Les niais de Sologne (1724).    Christophe Rousset, hpd.
L'Oiseau-Lyre 425 886-2 [05:03]

Montéclair, M. de Mes yeux, eteignez dans vos larmes, from Jephté (1732).    Sophie Daneman, sop; Les Arts Florissants/William Christie.
Harmonia Mundi HMC 901 424.25 [04:12]

23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared by James Nightingale
With Nena Beretin

Higdon, J. Impressions (2003).    Cypress String Quartet.
Naxos 8.559298 [26:50]

Mills, R. Symphony of nocturnes (2008).    Melbourne SO/Richard Mills.
ABC 476 4217 [29:02]