Charpentier: Actéon – Nicolas Achten

Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s drama in miniature Actéon retells the myth of the hunter who was punished by Diana for having surprised the goddess while she was bathing. Actéon was originally composed for a high tenor, but Charpentier reworked the piece a few months later and then entrusted the title role to a treble. Set for a mix of performers that Charpentier liked to use often — a few singers, two violins, two flutes and basso continuo — Actéon and Actéon changé en biche reveal all his dramatic and expressive skills. Scherzi Musicali now presents a comparison of these two versions: the second version is recorded here for the first time.