Iphigénie en Aulide, Sémiramis by Ángel Rodriguez, and Don Juan by Edward Clug, music by Christoph Willibald Gluck

At the Opéra national du Capitole in Toulouse, a sublime triptyque by Christoph Willibald Gluck takes place in front of your eyes and ears. Baroque master Jordi Savall sets the stage before the two main ballets by conducting Iphigénie en Aulide with Le Concert des Nations. Next, choreographer Ángel Rodríguez reimagines Sémiramis. Inspired by Voltaire’s tragedy of the same name, the ballet tells the story of the eponymous ancient Babylonian queen. Finally, immerse yourself in Edward Clug’s reinterpretation of the adventures of the womanizer we all love to hate: Don Juan, which is also considered the first ballet in the modern sense of the word. Throughout his life and career in the 18th century, Gluck championed ballet as a legitimate and expressive artform, and this production highlights the emotional and creative power of dance. The discrete scenography and minimalist, monochromatic costumes create a striking contrast with the richly ornamented musical scores.