Charpentier's rival Lully had a virtual musical monopoly at the court of King Louis XIV, and perhaps unsurprisingly his supporters were scathing in their attacks on Charpentier's Medee. Subsequently the opera sank without trace. In 1984 the work was rescued from obscurity and staged at the Opera de Lyon.

William Christie with Les Arts Florissants recorded the opera, and re-recorded it in 1993-4. It is the later recording which is included in this programme. Presented by Donald Macleod. Medee (excerpts) Lorraine Hunt and Noeme Rime (sopranos), Mark Padmore (tenor), Bernard Deletre (bass), Les Arts Florissants, director William Christie