Ismène et Isménias

Ismène et Isménias is described by its librettist Laujon as a tragedy. La Borde created the score for this work in three acts that had its world premiere before the Court at Choisy on 13 June 1763. It was billed initially in Paris on 11 December 1770 and was performed on only 23 occasions at the Opéra before it was dropped from the repertory on 3 February 1771. The opera is based upon the legend that men charged with announcing the celebration of Jupiter’s feast will perish if they fall in love…