Hippolyte and Aricie

In Glyndebournes firstever staging of a opera by Rameau director Jonathan Kent presents a production which in his own words strives to appeal to every sense and show audiences how engrossing and musically ravishing French Baroque opera can be Rameaus inventive take on Racines great tragedy Phèdre is brought to life by Paul Browns colourful and elegant designs and Ashley Pages playful choreography Ed Lyon and Christiane Karg give captivating performances as the titular young lovers while Sarah Connolly making a welcome return to Glyndebourne invests Phaedra with both grandeur and a desperately human vulnerability The Independent Leading exponent of early music William Christie sets an exhilarating pace galvanising the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment to playing of tremendous panache The DailyTelegraph