Lully: Thésée (Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset) (3CD)

Lully’s third musical tragedy, and one of the least recorded, Thésée recountsthe hero’s youth, long before his battle with the Minotaur or his intrigues withAriadne and Phèdre.

The story takes the listener on a journey through a series of changingsettings - from the underworld to the island of paradise, from Versailles to Athens - supported by the incredible vocal eloquence of Lully’s music, underpinned by a constant and hitherto unrivalled tension.

At the centre of the drama, Karine Deshayes sings a flamboyant Médée, apugnacious and tragic figure, guiding the listener through the most enragedopera in Lully’s catalogue.

Matthias Vidal and Deborah Cachet portray a most poignant Thésée / Eglé, giving the duets all their dramatic power.

Médée’s emblematic aria ("Dépit mortel, transport jaloux") alone captures themovement and wizardry that run through the entire work.