Rameau: Les Boréades
February 2005 Reviewed by: Wes Marshall Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Composer Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) had the good luck to live during France’s ascendancy in the world. He was ensconced as the director of a wealthy patron’s private orchestra, which allowed him the free time to pursue opera, the music form that was all the rage in his home Paris. During his later years, he would compose over 30 operas. However, by the time of his last opera, Les Boréades, France would be broken under the weight of the Seven Years War and would be facing an angry populace bent on revolution. Rameau died before Les Boréades could be mounted. It languished until 1982. Why?

The story probably scared the nobility. Alphise (Barbara Bonney) is a young queen who is being forced to marry one of the two sons of Boreas, god of the north winds. She is, instead, in love with the doorman, Abaris (Paul Agnew). To a French aristocracy accustomed to a monarch who likened himself to the god Apollo, the thought of a queen pitching the opportunity to marry a god’s son was heresy. And for a doorman! All’s well that ends well, however, and we soon find out that the doorman has some fascinating parents of his own.

The current production is a miracle of operatic design. Restaged as if in 1940s France, the production is filled with vivid colors, fascinating choreography and over 140 cast members. William Christie does his usual job of delivering an inspired performance, and his ensemble, Les Arts Florissants, plays with vigor and precision, especially during the several dance scenes. Barbara Bonney and Paul Agnew light up the stage both as actors and singers. My only word of warning is that much of Les Boréades is dance; modern opera lovers might not have tolerance for the ballet of the troupe La La La Human Steps who frequently use distinctly jerky and non-rhythmic steps to make their point.

The DVD is a model of how to accomplish opera on disc. The picture is crystal clear and the sound, though very slightly harsh, has great depth and transparency. There is a second disc with an hour-long documentary titled The Triumph of Love that will have you hurrying back to watch the opera all over again.

In all, a production to have made Rameau proud. Now, could we please have the DVD of Christie et al in Rameau’s masterpiece, Hippolyte et Aricie?

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