Singer

It’s the dream held by every singer: to be able to use their voice with such beauty and emotional power that even wild animals begin to purr, the Furies hum contentedly, and stones themselves seem to soften and weep. Such was the legendary gift of Orpheus, the mythical hero whose voice could enchant anyone — even the terrifying demons of the Underworld. No wonder his tale became one of opera’s most beloved subjects: the oldest surviving music drama, from 1600, is based on this ancient myth. But the most famous Orpheus opera of all is Christoph Willibald Gluck’s. 

EPSG:4326

Les Musiciens du Prince – Monaco | Vocal ensemble Il canto di Orfeo | Cecilia Bartoli

KKL Luzern Concert Hall

“ Orlando is love in all its facets: the consuming jealousy that leads to madness, the painful acceptance of rejection, the happy couple… but ultimately rather bland. Handel excels at expressing extreme emotions, and Orlando’s mad scene is one of the greatest moments in his work, written for the famous castrato Senesino. Like Bajazet’s scene in Tamerlano, it’s an absolutely gripping explosion of fury and despair.
What also makes this production special is Jeanne Desoubeaux’s ingenious staging, which brings an unexpected freshness thanks to the presence of children. She reinvents the da capo aria by creating a lively narrative, avoiding any static repetition – a real success!
And then there’s this new cast: young talents who bring a fresh vocal color and allow us to rediscover the work in a new light.” Giving new voices a chance is in the DNA of Les Talens Lyriques, and I can't wait to see what this energy will create on stage.

Orlando

Grand Theatre of the City of Luxembourg

Caen Theatre

Lorraine National Opera

„It's the sound in particular. Nobody else has it in this way [...] . And I think it's also the way you present the music to the audience. For me, it's very important that you have very quick access to the audience.“ This is how the renowned American baroque specialist, conductor and harpsichordist William Christie describes the French ensemble Les Arts Florissants, which he has led since 1979.

Konzerthausorchester Berlin, William Christie

Konzerthaus Berlin

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was only fifteen years old when he composed "Ascanio in Alba." Celebrated throughout Europe as a child prodigy, he received the prestigious commission from Empress Maria Theresa for the wedding of her son, Archduke Ferdinand, in Milan. The work is an allegorical festival drama: Venus unites her son Ascanio with the nymph Silvia, who is of divine lineage. Magnificent choruses, a festive orchestra, and virtuosic arias in the style of opera seria made the serenata a resounding success at its premiere. Christophe Rousset and his ensemble Les Talens Lyriques will be performing this concert version at the Zurich Opera House for the first time.

Soprano

Melissa Petit

Events

Upcoming events

13 - 20 Mar, 2027

Ascanio in Alba · Opernhaus Zürich

Past events

Aug 23, 2026

Les Musiciens du Prince – Monaco | Vocal ensemble Il canto di Orfeo | Cecilia Bartoli · Lucerne Festival

Oct 3 - Nov 16, 2025

Orlando · Les Talens Lyriques

Future and recently performed repertoire

Angelica in Orlando by Handel

Les Talens Lyriques

Euridice and Amore in Orfeo ed Euridice by Gluck

Lucerne Festival

Singer in Litaniae Lauretanae by Mozart

Konzerthausorchester Berlin

Singer in Harmony Mass by Haydn

Konzerthausorchester Berlin

Venere in Ascanio in Alba by Mozart

Opernhaus Zürich

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