Le Déserteur: The Modern American Premiere of an 18th-Century Opéra-Comique Masterpiece January 29, 2009

Opera Lafayette makes its Kennedy Center debut with the modern American premiere of Le Déserteur, a brilliant example of 18th-century opéra-comique by composer Pierre Alexandre Monsigny and librettist Michel-Jean Sedaine that helped set in motion the Romantic movement in Europe and America.

A trick is played on the soldier Alexis, and the false impression that his fiancée Louise has married another disrupts his furlough. Distraught and alone, Alexis is accused of desertion and thrown into prison. When Louise visits him there, he understands that she still loves him. To her horror, Louise realizes that Alexis faces execution. The scene is interrupted by a comic episode with a jailed drunkard. Louise throws herself at the feet of the king, who is visiting his troops, and she pleads for royal clemency. After a dramatic final scene in prison, all is resolved in the public square. Lilting melodies sung in French are interspersed with dialogues and new narrations in English penned by Nick Olcott.

The performance features baritone William Sharp as Alexis and soprano Dominique Labelle as Louise, with Artistic Director Ryan Brown conducting the 31-piece, period-instrument Opera Lafayette Orchestra. The renowned baroque dance authority Catherine Turocy directs the ensemble’s stage movement, with actor John Lescault and dancer Caroline Copeland providing dramatic action. Opera Lafayette will record Le Déserteur for international release by Naxos.

Tickets: $60 each; student tickets 50% off. Available from Opera Lafayette at (202) 546-9332 or www.operalafayette.org, or from the Kennedy Center Box Office at Instant Charge, (202) 467-4600 or www.kennedy-center.org.

Ryan Brown, conductor
Catherine Turocy, director
Caroline Copeland, dancer
John Lescault, actor
William Sharp, baritone
Dominique Labelle, soprano
Ann Monoyios, soprano
Tony Boutté, tenor
David Newman, baritone
Darren Perry, baritone
Gene Galvin, bass-baritone
Members of the Opera Lafayette Young Artists Program
Opera Lafayette Orchestra

Official Website: http://www.operalafayette.org/le_deserteur.html