Armide was Jean-Baptiste Lully's last "tragédie en musique" (in five acts and a prologue). It was composed in 1686 on a libretto by Philippe Quinault and is often considered as the masterwork of both artists. The argument of the tragedy is borrowed from Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered" (Gerusalemme liberata) and tells of the witch Armide's unrequited love for the knight Renaud.

Casting

• Les Arts Florissants
• William Christie (Conductor)
• Robert Carsen (Stage Direction)
• Stéphanie d'Oustrac (Mezzo-soprano) : Armide
• Paul Agnew (Tenor) : Renaud
• Nathan Berg (Baritone) : Hidraot
• Marc Mauillon (Baritone) : Ubalde, Aronte

Program

Armide
'Tragédie en musique' in a prologue and five acts by Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632 - 1687)
Libretto by Philippe Quinault after Torquato Tasso's 'Gerusalemme liberata'
First performance in Paris, Opéra, 15 February 1686

Recording: Théâtre des Champs-Elysées | Paris
Director: Francois Roussillon
Duration: 02:47