Dido and Æneas
Opera in a prologue and three acts – Premiere : London, 1689
Stage version – Sung in English – Text spoken in French
Bärenreiter score n° BA08744-90 – A-415
This stage project will be presented with the help of the baroque ensemble Les Surprises under the artistic direction of Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas and the complicity of Pierre Lebon for the staging and scenography. Based on the work of Purcell Dido and Æneas, they imagined a show in the image of the English “Masks”, with a Prologue and interludes, mixing sung texts, spoken texts, arias, choirs and dances. A show in which all the artists, in a true spirit of troupe, are singers, soloists, ensemble singers, actors and dancers.
Composer: Henry Purcell
Librettist: Nahum Tate
Artistic direction: Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas
Director and set designer: Pierre Lebon
Choreography: Iris Florentini
Ensemble Les Surprises
Cast
Soprano / Mezzo-soprano / Alto
3 roles
– Dido
– Belinda & Second Witch
– Second Woman & First Witch
Baritone
2 roles
– Æneas
– Enchantress
Tenor
1 role
– First Sailor & roles in Prologue and interludes
Countertenor
1 role
– Spirit & roles in Prologue and interlude
Artist-in-residence
Campus Royaumont Foundation
From July 15 to August 3, 2025
Rehearsals
Clermont-Ferrand
From January 2 to 15, 2026
Performances
Clermont-Fd Opera-Theatre : January 17 and 18, 2026
Limoges Opera : January 22 and 23, 2026
Tour : January – February, 2026 (date to define)
Possible Tour : 2026-2027 Season
Executive production ensemble Les Surprises
Co-production Royaumont Foundation, Clermont Auvergne Opera and Limoges Opera
Der Messias
Three-part Oratorio – Adapted by W. A. Mozart – Sung in German
Bärenreiter score Der Messias K.572 Edition : Holschneider Andréas BA04529-72
Pitch A-440
The special feature of the Limoges Opera project is to present Mozart’s rarely performed German-language adaptation of Messiah, in a staging by Lodie Kardouss, an artist associated with the Limoges Opera’s 25/26 season.
Composer: George Frederick Handel
Text: Charles Jennens
German translation: Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock and Daniel Ebeling
Conception and layout: Lodie Kardouss
Conductor: Nicolas André
Limoges Nouvelle Aquitaine Opera Symphony Orchestra
Choir conductor: Arlinda Roux-Majollari
Limoges Opera Choir
Choirmaster: Élisabeth Brusselle
Cast
Soprano
Alto / Mezzo
Tenor
Bass
Rehearsals
Limoges: From October 31 to November 9, 2025
Performance(s)
Limoges Opera: November 9, 2025
Performances outside Limoges: 17-18 and 24-25/11/2025
(to be confirmed before the competition)
New production Limoges Opera in partnership with Clermont Auvergne Opera
Piano Voice Duo
For the first time in its history, the Clermont-Ferrand International Opera Singing Competition will reward a voice-piano duo. Singers of all voice types and pianists will perform in duos in a repertoire that will require a subtle balance between lied and French melody.
The semi-finalists will benefit from a workshop led by Antoine Palloc, a pianist who has accompanied notably Karine Deshayes, Jennifer Larmore, Nicolas Courjal and Sonya Yoncheva in recital.
The winning duo will be offered residencies, notably at the prestigious Royaumont Foundation, and engagements for recitals.
Music
French melodies and lieder
Cast
Pianist / Voice (all voice types)
Artist-in-residence
Royaumont Foundation – Autumn 2025
Residence outcome
Tour (Paris region)
Autumn 2025 (date to define)
Artist-in-residence
Château de Parentignat (63) – Residence outcome
Spring 2026 (date to define)
Recital
Clermont-Fd Opera-Theatre – Season 2025/2026
Spring 2026 (date to define)
Production Fondation Royaumont and Clermont Auvergne Opéra
