Cherubini’s Médée of 1797 is undergoing something of a revival at the moment albeit in an Italian version.  But there’s an earlier and less known version of the same story with a libretto by (as opposed to based on) Corneille.  It’s Charpentier’s Médée of 1693.  It’s a tragédie lyrique with all the expected elements; an allegorical prologue in praise of Louis XIV, a classical subject, five acts, gods, spirits and demons and lots of spectacular theatrical effects.  The Lully formula in fact. Continue reading →