Castor & Pollux

Castor & Pollux

• Harmonia Mundi
• Classical

Rameau's third opera, Castor & Pollux, was first performed in 1737. It follows the story of twin brothers, the mortal Castor and the immortal Pollux. These famous heroes are both in love with the Princess Telaira but she loves only Castor. When Castor is killed in battle, Pollux, yielding to the pleas of Telaira, journeys to the underworld to take his place. However, Jupiter's divine intervention grants them both immortality. The opera ends as they take their place in the zodiac as the constellation Gemini. Rameau made substantial cuts, alterations and additions to the work for its revival in 1754. Scholars have long argued over which version is superior. On this release, Raphael Pichon and the Ensemble Pygmalion make a passionate case for the 1754 edition of one of Rameau's finest works.