Rameau's "Les Suprises de L'Amour"

Opera Lafayette presents a fully staged modern world premiere of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s *Les Surprises de l’Amour*, a witty and elegant French baroque opera originally created through the artistic partnership of Madame de Pompadour and Rameau. In the story, Cupid disrupts the expected order of love: Uranie’s cool reason begins to give way, while Adonis learns that Venus remains in control. The production explores sudden shifts in feeling and romantic uncertainty through Rameau’s richly ornamental music and sparkling dance sequences.

The performance reunites the works of Pompadour and Rameau onstage for the first time since 1748. It is presented in partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library, bringing baroque opera to a venue known for its collections and scholarship concerning Shakespeare and the early modern period.

When: November 13–15, 2026

Showtimes: November 13 at 7:30 p.m.; November 14 at 7:30 p.m.; November 15 at 4 p.m.

Venue: Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC

Language: French with English supertitles

Run time: 90 minutes, without an intermission

Tickets: Price not available. Individual tickets and subscriptions are offered.

Cast: Kayleigh Sprouse as Un Plaisir and Amour; Elizabeth Sutphen as Uranie and Venus; Emilie Kealani as Astree and Diane; Phillip Lopez as Le Temps and Adonis; and Hadleigh Adams as Vulcain and Linus.

Dancers: Emily Aslin, Alexzander Larson, and Cori Lewis.

Orchestra: Opera Lafayette Orchestra, led by Patrick Quigley.

Creative team: Chas Rader-Shieber directs the stage production; Isaac Lerner is the choreographer; Jimmy Stubbs designed the costumes and scenery; and Connie Yun designed the lighting.

Note: Performers marked with an asterisk on the production page are making their Opera Lafayette debuts.