Rameau's "Les Suprises de L'Amour"

Opera Lafayette presents the modern world premiere of Jean-Philippe Rameau's *Les Surprises de l’Amour*, an opera-ballet that originally premiered in 1748 in the private theater of Versailles under the patronage of Madame de Pompadour. This rediscovered work restores the collaboration between Pompadour and Rameau to the stage for the first time in centuries, offering an evening of elegance, shifting emotions, and unexpected entrances. The story follows Cupid as he rearranges the emotional landscape: the cool Uranie finds her reason softened, the beautiful Adonis discovers that Venus always wins, and feelings bloom amid glittering dances set to Rameau’s incandescent score. Performances feature period instruments, expressive dancing, bold costumes, and imaginative sets, with French dialogue and English supertitles.

When: November 13–15, 2026.

Showtimes: Friday, November 13 at 7:30pm; Saturday, November 14 at 7:30pm; Sunday, November 15 at 4:00pm.

Tickets: Single tickets go on sale July 27, 2026; subscriptions open June 30, 2026. Price is not yet available.

Lineup: Kayleigh Sprouse, soprano (Un Plaisir, Amour); Elizabeth Sutphen, soprano (Uranie, Venus); Emilie Kealiani, soprano (Astree, Diane); Phillip Lopez, bass-baritone (Le Temps, Adonis); Opera Lafayette Orchestra led by Patrick Quigley.

Run time: 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission.

Ages: Not specified in the provided materials.

Venue: Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.

Note: This production is a partnership between Opera Lafayette and the Folger Shakespeare Library, uniting two organizations dedicated to preserving and producing works from the early modern world. The performance is sung in French with English supertitles.