Paris Opera Comique: 'Les Fetes d'Hebe'

By Scott Clemens

Published July 5, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT

A scene from Opera Comique's "Les fete d'Hebe." (Photo credit: Vincent Pontet)

On Saturday at 1 p.m., hear Classical IPR's broadcast of Jean-Philippe Rameau's "Les Fetes d'Hebe."

Tune in to hear a production of Jean-Philippe Rameau's "Les Fetes d'Hebe" (The Festivities of Hebe, or The Lyric Talents) from Opera Comique in Paris, France. The production, conducted by William Christie, stars soprano Emmanuelle de Negri, mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre and soprano Ana Vieira Leite.

From Opera Comique: "This eighteenth-century opera ballet was a total show. The 1739 creation celebrated the virtuosity of ballet, songs, ensemble and orchestra with its transforming decor and amorous, rather than mythological, intrigues. Rameau really displayed his genius and won a resounding triumph."

Read more from Opera Comique here.

This broadcast is presented as part of the WFMT Opera Series. The live radio broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera will resume in December 2025.

COMPOSER: Jean-Philippe Rameau

LIBRETTO: Antoine Gautier de Montdorge

PRESENTING COMPANY: Opera Comique

ENSEMBLE: Les Arts Florissants Choir and Orchestra

CAST:

Hebe / The Naiad: Emmanuelle de Negri

Sapho / Iphise / Egle: Lea Desandre

Cupid / A Spartan woman / The stream / A shepherdess: Ana Vieira Leite

Theleme: Antonin Rondepierre

The stream / Lycurgue: Cyril Auvity