Les surprises de l'Amour

About

This modern world premiere from Opera Lafayette stages Rameau's 1748 opéra-ballet Les Surprises de l'Amour, a work commissioned by Madame de Pompadour for her private theatre at Versailles. The production marks the first staging of the original Pompadour–Rameau conception since 1748. Conceived and directed by Bill Barclay with Patrick Quigley leading the period-instrument Opera Lafayette Orchestra, the staging revives the Rococo-era fusion of music, dance, and theatrical spectacle. The presentation emphasizes period-informed performance practices using period instruments and an English-translation supertitle system designed for accessibility. Performed in French with English supertitles, the opera runs approximately two hours including a 15-minute intermission. The production is presented in partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, framing Rameau's Baroque opera within a venue steeped in early modern artistic traditions.