Gramophone Magazine
March 2022
Blu-ray of the Month

Reinoud van Mechelen (Titan), Gwendoline Blondeel (L'Aurore), Emmanuelle De Negri (Pales), Marc Mauillon (Eole), Julie Roset (Amour), Renato Dolcini (Promethee), Les Arts Florissants, William Christie

Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville was greatly admired in his day. His opera Titon et l’Aurore was one of his most popular works, being held up as a triumph over the rival Italian style during the Parisian Querelle des Bouffons in the 1750s. The narrative of this spectacular opéra-ballet follows the tumultuous and seemingly unbreakable liaison between the goddess L’Aurore and her lover the shepherd Titon. Jealous gods and goddesses try to interfere through murderous intent and dramatic abduction, but true love ultimately conquers all in stage director Basil Twist’s acclaimed feast for the senses.

"One can only imagine how hard it must have been for the performers to play without an audience: they succeed brilliantly...Another triumph for William Christie." - Gramophone Magazine, March 2022.