Ulysse et Pénélope

Ulysse or Ulysse et Pénélope is an opera by the French composer Jean-Féry Rebel, with a libretto by Henry Guichard. The story is based on a poetic reinterpretation of Homer's epic poem, Odyssey.
It was first performed at the Académie Royale de Musique on 21 January 1703. It takes the form of a tragédie en musique in a prologue and five acts.

Plot

The opera begins with a prologue with a mandatory adoration of the king which, at the time of the opera, was Louis XIV. The formal opera begins in Ulysses's garden within his palace. His queen, Penelope, waits for his return from Troy. Urilas, on the other hand, cries at her inability to gain the king's attention which Circe, a witch, offers to solve by causing Penelope to fall into infidelity. Through several different attempts, with Godly intervention, Louis and Penelope reunite, and Circe's plot is thwarted.

Recording

Ulysse. Les Solistes du Marais: Guillemette Laurens, Circé, Stéphanie Révidat, Pénélope, Bertrand Chuberre, Ulysse, Bernard Deletré, Urilas, Howard Crook, Orphée, Euriloque, Céline Ricci, Eugénie Warnier, Vincent Lièvre-Picard, Thomas van Essen, Le Chœur du Marais, La Simphonie du Marais, conducted by Hugo Reyne. Recorded 9–10 July 2007. : Conseil Général de la Vendée, Ⓟ 2007. Musiques à la Chabotterie 605003