Synopsis
Listen to the synopsis
Eight years after the success of Les Indes galantes, conductor Leonardo García Alarcón returns to the Paris Opera with a gem: a score by Antonia Bembo, an 18th century composer whose tumultuous life resembles a novel.
Fleeing a violent husband, this Venetian sought refuge at the court of Louis XIV, where she received the king’s protection. It was in France that she forged a personal style, straddling Italian and French culture, before composing her opera Ercole amante in 1707, based on the libretto previously used by her master Francesco Cavalli.
Never before staged in Europe, this Hercules in love, marked by harmonic originality and outstanding vocal virtuosity, is making its repertoire debut at the Paris Opera.
Netia Jones explores the baroque work, full of gods and supernatural elements, and reveals its modernity: that of a powerful but ageing man incapable of accepting a woman’s refusal to consent.
Duration : 3h40 with 1 interval
Language : Italian
Surtitle : French / English
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Opening
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First part 105 min
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Intermission 25 min
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Second part 90 min
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End
Artists
Opera in five acts (1707)
Creative team
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Antonia Bembo Music (v. 1643-v. 1715) -
Francesco Buti Libretto -
Leonardo García-Alarcón Conductor -
Netia Jones Direction, set, costume design, video -
Maud Le Pladec Choreographer -
Fábian Schofrin Dramaturgy -
Thibaut Lenaerts Chorus Master
Cast
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Andreas Wolf Ercole -
Julie Fuchs Giunone -
Ana Vieira Leite Iole -
Deepa Johnny Dejanira -
Marcel Beekman Licco -
Alasdair Kent Hyllo -
Sandrine Piau Venere, Bellezza -
Théo Imart Paggio -
Teona Todua Pasithea -
Alex Rosen Nettuno, L'Ombra di Eutyro
Orchestre Cappella Mediterranea - Chœur de chambre de Namur
A recording of Ercole Amante will be made on 5 and 9 June 2026, directed by François Roussillon, coproduced by the Opéra national de Paris, Arte and FRA Prod, with the support of the CNC and the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts.
The opera will be broadcast at a later date on Arte.tv and Arte, and then on Paris Opera Play, the Paris Opera's streaming website.
Media
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LEONARDO GARCÍA ALARCÓN about ERCOLE AMANTE (interview)
Watch the video
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Les Grands Entretiens
Listen the podcast
Access and services
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Calculate my routeCar park
Parking Indigo Opéra Bastille 1 avenue Daumesnil 75012 Paris
Book your spot at a reduced price
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Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82
Online
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille
75012 Paris
Public transport
Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)
Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16
Calculate my routeCar park
Parking Indigo Opéra Bastille 1 avenue Daumesnil 75012 Paris
Book your spot at a reduced price
-
Cloakrooms
Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.
-
Bars
Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.
In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:
- €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
- €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65
Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.
Opéra Bastille
- Open 1h before performances and until performances end
- Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
- For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82
