Rameau’s Roots, December 2021

The Opera Company, Heath Street Baptist Church

Part of the Rameau’s Rising Star’s Project, this innovative show explores Jean-Philippe Rameau’s early roots as a travelling violinist, what experiences might have influenced his later operatic masterpieces, and the astonishing story of the brilliant, yet largely forgotten composer Jean-Joseph Mouret, writer of the first French comic opera, who later went mad listening to Rameau’s Castor et Pollux.

With a 15 strong cast of musicians, singers and actor/dancers, the intertwining story of these two men was told through their music and the popular music that surrounded them. Utilising singing, acting, dance, mime, movement and music, it brought back to life the traditions of 18th century French theatre, from love stories to demons, the simplest peasant dance, to the grandest operatic spectacle, retelling this fascinating story to a modern audience.

Devised by director Guido Martin-Brandis, violinist Sarah Bealby-Wright, and movement director Shona Morris. Read the programme, synopsis, and programme note by clicking on the images on the left. Graphic design: Guido Martin-Brandis

Jack Lawrence Jones - Rameau/Pollux/Demon

Hilary Cronin - Pleasure/Hebe/Demon

Galina Averina - Mathilde/Demon/Pleasure

Mathew Wernham - Travelling Player/Demon/Pleasure

Samuel Tracy - Mouret/Ragonde/Travelling Player/Demon/Pleasure

Tom Mackean - Colin/Duchesse/Travelling Player/Demon/Pleasure

Jessica Warbeck - Duchesse/Travelling Player/Demon/Pleasure

Reviews

Opera Now - Robert Thicknesse

★★★★★

“I can’t imagine anything more happiness enhancing… this imaginative romp, clearly a work in progress, was a transporting little delight.

…led by Samuel Tracy’s charismatic ball of energy, they brought the physical verve that our opera so often lacks.”