Aspasie

Aspasie was billed as an opera in three acts with a libretto by Morel de Chédeville and a score by Grétry. Pierre-Gabriel Gardel created its choreography, which seemed to inspire more applause than the music. It had its world premiere at the Opéra on 17 March 1789, when it returned more than 4,000 livres to the box office. The opening scene of Aspasie presents the lyceum of Athens where Zénon and Anaxagore have convened with their disciples. The masters are discussing philosophical matters when…