Liège-born composer André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry arrived in Paris in 1767, determined to put his musical talent and love of the theater to work in the new operatic genre that was all the rage there: opéra-comique, in which sung recitative gives way to dialogue to advance the plot. Grétry came to dominate this type of opera, thanks to the wit and vivacity he was able to instill in it, supported by melodic genius and the fine efficiency of his orchestral writing. First performed in 1778, L’Amant jaloux was a huge success, considered by many to be one of the finest opéras-comiques of the 18th century. Presented for the first time in Canada in its entirety, the work promises to seduce audiences here with a top-notch cast under the spirited direction of Mathieu Lussier.
André-Modeste Grétry (1741-1813)
L'Amant jaloux, ou les Fausses Apparences
