Les Indes galantes

Baroque opera is an acquired taste, but for me a style that grew on me over-time. Handel was the primary reason, Rameau being another. This is an outstanding production of Les Indes Gallantes and the best of the three William Christie-conducted Rameau productions I've seen(the others being Les Boreades and Les Paladins). The more modern production values look gorgeous and have a certain charm to them, and the choreography is more creative and witty than bizarre, like I noticed with Les Boreades with Barbara Bonney and also Monteverdi's L'Orfeo with Simon Keenlyside(both of which I still loved). Of the staging, the standout was the incredibly exciting in all regards Les Sauvages scene. The music is wonderful, stylishly performed by the orchestra and buoyantly conducted by William Christie. The performances are all excellent, with special mention going to Danielle DeNiese, Nicolas Rivenq, Paul Agnew, Nathan Berg Malin Hartelius and Richard Croft, all of whom sing beautifully and bring command to their roles. Overall, really outstanding and recommended without hesitation. 10/10 Bethany Cox