Composer of the Week - Jean-Philippe Rameau - Episode 2

Rameau is best known for his operas, yet he didn't write his first one until he was nearly 50. The result, Hippolyte et Aricie, caused an absolute sensation. Donald Macleod investigates. Hippolyte et Aricie (Act 1 excerpt) Les Musiciens du Louvre Marc Minkowski (conductor) Hippolyte et Aricie (Act 2, Sc 2-5) Aricie ...... Veronique Gens (soprano) Hippolyte ...... Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (tenor) Phèdre ...... Bernarda Fink (mezzo-soprano) Diane ...... Therese Feighan (soprano) L'Amour/Une Bergere/Une Matelote ...... Annick Massis (soprano) Pluton/Neptune/Jupiter ...... Laurent Naouri (baritone) Thesee ...... Russell Smythe (baritone) Ensemble Vocal Sagittarius Les Musiciens du Louvre Marc Minkowski (conductor) Castor et Pollux (Act 1, Sc 3) Agnes Mellon (soprano) Les Arts Florissants William Christie (conductor) Les Fetes d'Hebe (Act 3, Sc 7) Iphise ...... Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano) L'oracle ...... Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (tenor) Les Arts Florissants William Christie (conductor).