Inspired by a fable by La Fontaine, Rameau produced perhaps his most brilliant music for his penultimate great work, blending reality and the surreal on several levels. This passionate new production by José Montalvo, stunningly choreographed by Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu, sets new standards in entertainment, charm and ingenuity. The sharp and spectacular multimedia staging does full justice to Rameau’s dazzling burlesque, confirming Olivier Rouvière’s statement that ‘Les Paladins is the last laugh of a witty 77-year old composer’. Recorded live in 2004 at the Paris Théâtre du Châtelet in true surround sound, both the virtuoso cast and Les Arts Florissants are in top form, clearly enjoying themselves in the masterful hands of William Christie.

Topi Lehtipuu, Stéphanie d’Oustrac, Laurent Naouri, Sandrine Piau, René Schirrer, François Piolino
Les Arts Florissants / William Christie
Stage Director José Montalvo


Plus
‘Baroque that rocks!’ – A documentary film by Reiner E. Moritz featuring interviews with William Christie, Dominique Hervieu, Topi Lehtipuu, Stéphanie d’Oustrac and other members of the cast

Illustrated Synopsis & Cast Gallery

Reviews
'I doubt anything more witty, more spectacular, more ravishingly sexy will be seen on the opera stage this year.'
Evening Standard

‘Baroque that rocks’
‘This feast of captivating visual images, stunningly sensual choreography and glorious music is so rich that one can do no more than give a flavour.'
Evening Standard

‘Rameau goes digital. And it works’
‘A delirious confection of music, movement and technology… Les Paladins blends high-tech wizardry with breathtaking precision.’
The Independent on Sunday

‘A multimedia spectacular, dazzlingly well executed …a real treat.’
The Guardian

‘…like eating a box of chocolates someone has laced with hallucinogens. It’s a fantastic, elegant, high energy production.’
The Daily Telegraph

Awards & Accolades:

CAT NO: OA 0938 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 204 Mins
SOUND: DTS SURROUND / LPCM STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN/FR/DE/ES/IT
RELEASED: 01/11/2005
NO OF DISCS: 2