Presenting

The Festivities of Hebe, Or the Lyric Talents

A festivity for Erato, Mother of Azan, Muse of Lyric Poetry & Hymns

On the second day of Artsaha, on the 7th day of September

At half past seven in the evening

 

The Festivities of Hebe

Or The Lyric Talents

 

Music by Jean-Philippe Rameau

Libretto by Antoine Gautier de Montdorge and others.

Chamber reduction by Joe Drew

 

As performed by:

Christina Carr, mezzo-soprano

Joe Drew, trumpet/harpsichord

John Ellison, accordion

Julie Gramolini, oboe

Chris Hake, violin

Marcia Kamper, flute

Rudolf Kamper, piano

John Klinghammer, conductor & narrator

Thomas Kluge, violin

Christine Mehser, bass

Amy Petersen, viola

Tomm Roland, percussion

Rachel Stornant, flute

Adam Trussel, bassoon

Margaret Wilmeth, cello

 

with

 

Members of the Heartland Community Flute Choir, under the direction of Dr. Christine Beard and Denis Fitzpatrick, projectionist

 

Characters in Order of Appearance

 

Hebe, Cupbearer to the Gods
Cupid, God of Erotic Love
Momus, God of Satire
Sappho, Lyric poetess
Thelemus, Confidante of King Hymas
Alcaeus, Sappho’s Lover
Hymas, King of Lesbos
A chorus of Rivermen

A Nymph A River God
A Stream
Iphise, Princess of Sparta
Mercury, God of Commerce
Eurilas, A Shepherd
Eglea, A Shepherdess

Scenes

Prologue:
1. Overture
2. “Non, ne suivez”, Hebe & Momus
3. The Arrival of the Graces
4. “Je ne regrette”, Hebe
5. “Que jusqu’aux”, Thessalians
6. Bourrée
7. “Vole, Zephir”, Cupid
8. Air for the Zephyrs and the Graces
9. “Volez, Zephirs”, Cupid, Hebe, et al.

 

Act I:
10. “Bois Cheri”, Sappho
11. “Dieu des vers”, Sapho & Alcaeus
12. Hunting Music
13. “On doit”, Hymas
14. “Danson Tous”, Rivermen
15. Tambourins I & II
16. “Ciel!”, Rivermen
17. “Revenez”, Rivermen
18. “Je vous revois”, Nymph & Stream
19. “Fuis”, Stream
20. “Un jour passé”, Nymph
21. Rigaudons I & II

Act II:
22. Passepieds I & II
23. “Eclatante trompette”, Iphise
24. Airs Vifs I & II
25. Chaconne

 

Act III:
26. Ritornello
27. “De l’art de Terpsichore”, Eurilas
28. “Tu veux”, Mercury
29. “Non, non”, Mercury & Eglea
30. “L’amour règne”, Sheperdess, et. al
31. Prelude
32. Louree grave
33. Minuets I & II
34. “Suivez les lois”, Mercury, Eglea, et. al
[Play your Rameau Ringtone at any time,
and feel free to sing along!]
35. Tambourin en Rondeau

 

Program Notes

 

The Festivities of Hebe premiered in 1739, and underwent a series of revisions. As with many of Rameau’s operas, the libretto was flimsy, but audiences took particular exception to the weaknesses of Antoine Gautier’s scenario. Opera as it is known today bears little resemblance to the evening-length entertainments Rameau and his peers wrote for the French royalty.

 

Particularly so with the ballet-opera, narrative cohesion is sacrificed for the sake of entertainment. The Festivities of Hebe abounds with glittering dance numbers, so much so that Camille Saint-Saens was able to adapt two separate instrumental suites from the opera. The result is a musical cornucopia of intoxicating vocal numbers and invigorating instrumental pieces.

 

ANALOG arts ensemble’s adaptation of Rameau’s score distills the opera down to its core, while retaining the spirit and opulence of the original. The Festivities of Hebe will be presented without intermission, and it will be over before you know it. — Rene Edmunds