Matthew Locke's semi-opera "Psyche " / More info

When the English King Charles II saw the opulently staged opera "Psyche" by Jean-Baptiste Lully at the French court of "Sun King" Louis XIV in 1671, he wanted to bring a similar spectacle to his London home. In 1675, the semi-opera "Psyche" by Matthew Locke was the first of its kind to be premiered in England with a large orchestra, singing, acting, ballet, colorful costumes and specially built stage machinery. In the Laeiszhalle, the ornate neo-baroque ambience now serves as the backdrop for a top-class concert performance with Sébastien Daucé and his Ensemble Correspondances.

The love story between the ancient god Cupid and the human princess Psyche is not one for the ages: the couple have to overcome many obstacles, going from heaven to hell and back again to finally receive a blessing from the other goddesses and gods. In typical baroque opera style, the lovers encounter a whole variety of mythical figures along the way in all kinds of subplots - gods, demigods, Furies, demons, Cyclopes and many more cavort in the five acts of the plot. Matthew Locke and his librettist added some comedic elements to the French original.

Originally, the colorfully orchestrated orchestra had to play numerous dances and interludes by Giovanni Battista Draghi, which have not survived. Instead, Sébastien Daucé added instrumental movements by Matthew Locke and shortened some of the spoken passages to give the highly emotional arias more weight. The result is a fascinating, entertaining insight into the beginnings of English opera, brilliantly performed and of timeless beauty.

Ensemble Correspondances

Lucile RichardotChief Priest

Tristan HambletonPan

Élodie FonnardVenus

Etienne BazolaVulcan

ManagementSébastien Daucé

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