The integration of dance and pantomime into the dramatic structure of lyrical performances was a distinctive feature of the French Baroque style and, inherently, of Jean-Philippe Rameau, one of its most illustrious representatives. This resulted in performances whose scenic richness went far beyond the plots and vocal talents of the singers. They were divertissements and illustrative interludes in tragédies lyriques such as Hippolyte et Aricie or Dardanus. They were entrées and fixed dances such as the chaconne and the sarabande in opéras-ballets such as Les Indes galantes and Le temple de la gloire. This has resulted in an immense legacy of instrumental pieces with surprising orchestral effects, rhythmic and harmonic solutions that are enchanting in themselves. In this program, harpsichordist Miguel Jalôto takes the lead of the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra to perform a bouquet of some of the most dazzling pages that Rameau dedicated to the orchestra.
À Grande e à Francesa
Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa
Orchestral Suites by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Fernando Miguel Jalôto musical direction and harpsichord
