Ercole amante: Antonia Bembo's baroque Hercules between power and desire at Opéra Bastille

Presented for the first time at theOpéra Bastille from May 28 to June 14, 2026, Ercole amante ( Hercules in Love) is a rare work byAntonia Bembo, an 18th-century composer who has long remained in the shadows. This premiere marks the score's inclusion in the Paris Opéra repertoire, and sheds light on a singular artistic figure, between a turbulent personal history and a daring musical language.

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The work, written in 1707 at the court of Louis XIV, is based on a libretto already used by Bembo's master Francesco Cavalli. But this version offers a highly personal reinterpretation of the Hercules myth, oscillating between heroic brilliance and intimate twilight. The character of Hercules, aging and insistent in the face of a woman's refusal, becomes the center of a story where gods, passions and supernatural powers intertwine. The musical writing blends Italian and French influences, and stands out for its bold harmonic effects and vocal virtuosity, requiring a solid cast.

The staging is by Netia Jones, known for her contemporary visual approaches to ancient works. Here, she explores the figure of a Hercules who is less triumphant than vulnerable, in a universe where the boundaries between myth and the modern eye seem to dissolve. The scenic device should play on the opera's dreamlike dimension, while underlining the tensions between domination and desire, power and consent.

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This show is aimed at audiences interested in the great forgotten pages of the Baroque repertoire, and in artistic proposals that resonate with current concerns. Fans ofclassical or romanticoperas may be surprised by the originality of the musical language or the rarity of the work, but those who like to rediscover history from another angle, through little-known scores, will find it of particular interest.

With this production, the Paris Opera puts the spotlight on a little-performed composer, while offering a reinterpretation of the myth of Hercules that combines power and fragility.

This article is based on publicly available information and is not based on direct experience of the show.