Phèdre loves Hippolyte, but Hippolyte loves Aricie. And wouldn’t you just know it, Hippolyte is the son of Phèdre's husband Thésée. Rameau tells his story with an expressive force that earned him the reputation of a revolutionary at the premiere in 1733. The richness of his harmonies, rhythms and melodies spans an entire cosmos from the underworld to the heavens, which stage director Lorenzo Fioroni, together with baroque specialist Bernhard Forck, captures in spectacular images fusing music, text, film and dance into a new unity.

Exuberant, intoxicating parties, luxurious, unbridled living, sparkling champagne - and the tragic creep of terminal illness. This is the life of the Lady of the Camellias until great love unexpectedly enters her life. But can love really conquer all?