“For its third year in a row, Odyssey Opera has helped jump-start the fall classical season with an opera of vast proportions.” A local premiere for Massenet’s ‘Le Cid’ The...
Read More
Le Cid
Jules Massenet
Le Cid
Boston Premiere
Music by Jules Massenet
Libretto by Louis Gallet, Édouard Blau, and Adolphe d’Ennery after the play by Pierre Corneille
Sung in French with projected English titles
Run Time: 3 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission
Featuring Gil Rose and the Odyssey Opera Orchestra, an 80-voice chorus, and a star-studded cast led by world-renowned American tenor Paul Groves in a one night only concert production of this lush, riveting, and rarely-performed score.
Based on the story of Spain’s greatest legend, Le Cid tells the tale of a war hero navigating the line between duty and romance while his beloved must decide between pursuing vengeance and following her heart. This epic piece rejoices in the redemption that comes from honoring love over all.
“Those who packed Jordan Hall enthusiastically cheered this welcome encounter with a production of such skill and energy.”
– The Boston Musical Intelligencer
Cast and Creative
Gil RoseConductor
Paul GrovesRodrigue
Tamara ManciniChimène
Oren GradusDon Diègue
Michael ChioldiLe Roi
Eleni CalenosL’Infante
Kristopher IrmiterLe Comte de Gormas
Robert HoneysuckerSt. Jacques
David Salsbery FryDon Alonzo/
L’Envoyé Maure
Ethan BremnerDon Arias
Background
Massenet’s Le Cid was not the first opera to tackle the subject of the mythical representation of the historical El Cid—nor was it the last. Indeed, scholars have estimated that at least twenty-six composers recognized the tale of the 11th-century warrior caught between passion and filial duty as too delicious a drama not to set to music. These included such illustrious contributors to operatic history as Giovanni Paisiello, Georges Bizet, and Claude Debussy. Still, it is French master Jules Massenet’s 1885 opera that has made a lasting impression, despite being rarely performed.
Read the program notes
