UCOpera: First British Staging of Jean-Philippe Rameau's Acante et Céphise

Over four days in March, the opera company of University College London will present Acante et Céphise, Jean-Philippe Rameau’s ‘pastorale héroïque’ about the plight of the lovers Acante and Céphise, who suffer at the hands of the jealous genie Oroès. In this newly conceived staging of a work first performed at Versailles in 1751 to celebrate the birth of King Louis XV’s grandson, the Duke of Burgundy, the opera becomes an entertaining journey through the trials and triumphs of that most universal of stories – the creation of a new life. With a magnificent score by Rameau and fabulous dancing throughout, this is a unique chance to see this masterpiece by one of France’s most famous and original composers of the Baroque era. Not only will this be the first British staging of Rameau’s opera but very possibly its first staging since the 18th century.

2012 marks UCOpera’s 61st year on the British operatic scene. Since its founding in 1951, UCOpera has brought unusual and rarely performed operas back into the public eye, often playing a major part in their re-evaluation. Among these are Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito (1953), three World Premieres, and a string of 18 British Premieres including, most recently, Dvorák’s Vanda (2004) in his centenary year and Lalo’s Fiesque (2008). Although UCL has no music department, UCOpera takes great pride in a consistently impressive demonstration over time of having sought out operas of real interest and value, often ahead of prevailing musical opinion.

UCOpera provides the students of UCL with the unique experience of assembling an operatic production, and of performing exciting and challenging works of music theatre with professional singers and directors. The company has also proven to be a prestigious springboard for young talent with artists of several generations having been involved with its productions, including many who have gone on to become major figures in the opera world such as singers Dame Felicity Lott, Jonathan Summers and Robert Lloyd or directors such as Paul Curran.

Music Director Charles Peebles, who has conducted at Garsington Opera, Glyndebourne and Bavarian State Opera amongst others, celebrates the 10th anniversary of his first appearance with UCOpera in 2002 conducting Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini. Christopher Cowell, who made his main-house directorial debut in 2008 at the Royal Opera House with a revival of Les Contes d’Hoffmann starring Rolando Villazón, will be directing this year’s UCOpera production.

UCOpera’s production of Acante et Céphise will be sung in its original French with English surtitles.