Manifest: Magical Female Figures of Baroque Opera

Description

Compositions by Telemann, Handel, Lully, and other masters of the Baroque – Following the success of Amazones, the Jupiter Ensemble continues its collaboration with musicologist Yannis François and develops a program about magic, seduction, and creative power together with Lea Desandre. The focus is on female figures who made their wishes and ambitions come true – with equally fascinating and ambivalent consequences. "Music is enchantment": it makes the hidden tangible and gives expression to the unspeakable. Thus, a sound space is created where other realities open up. Manifest traces the footprints of magical characters from Baroque opera. Composers like Handel, Telemann, and Lully, but also Cavalli or Bembo, created compelling portraits of Circe, Armida, Alcina, Medea, Poppea, or Agrippina – archetypes between power, seduction, and transformation. The performer of this program is the French-Italian mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre, one of the leading voices of her generation. She is accompanied by the Jupiter Ensemble under the direction of Thomas Dunford, renowned internationally for their passionate and nuanced playing. The premiere is scheduled for January 2027; further performances will follow in May–June 2027 and January 2028. Participants and additional information: Ensemble JUPITER Lea Desandre _ Mezzo-soprano Thomas Dunford _ Direction