Rameau is best known for his operas, yet he didn't write his first one until he was nearly 50. The result, Hippolyte et Aricie, caused an absolute sensation. Donald Macleod investigates.

Hippolyte et Aricie (Act 1 excerpt)
Les Musiciens du Louvre
Marc Minkowski (conductor)

Hippolyte et Aricie (Act 2, Sc 2-5)
Aricie ...... Veronique Gens (soprano)
Hippolyte ...... Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (tenor)
Phèdre ...... Bernarda Fink (mezzo-soprano)
Diane ...... Therese Feighan (soprano)
L'Amour/Une Bergere/Une Matelote ...... Annick Massis (soprano)
Pluton/Neptune/Jupiter ...... Laurent Naouri (baritone)
Thesee ...... Russell Smythe (baritone)
Ensemble Vocal Sagittarius
Les Musiciens du Louvre
Marc Minkowski (conductor)

Castor et Pollux (Act 1, Sc 3)
Agnes Mellon (soprano)
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie (conductor)

Les Fetes d'Hebe (Act 3, Sc 7)
Iphise ...... Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)
L'oracle ...... Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (tenor)
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie (conductor). Show less