„Jean-Baptiste Stuck’s Polydore provided an excellent opportunity for György Vashegyi to once again showcase his conducting talent with the presentation of a French opera from the era of Lully and Rameau. As the reign of Louis XIV was drawing to a close, his nephew, Philippe, Duke of Orléans—designated as regent should the child-king succeed the Sun King—was fostering a vibrant cultural environment at his court, with a particular affection for Italian music. Giovanni Battista Stuck, born in Tuscany and later settled in France, was among those who benefited from the generosity of the ducal and regency courts. Following Louis XIV’s death in 1715, the operatic genre in Paris retained its popularity, creating a favorable environment for Stuck to demonstrate his abilities. Stuck composed what is considered his finest opera, Polydore, in 1720, in the genre of tragédie en musique (lyric tragedy), with a libretto by Simon-Joseph Pellegrin. The plot draws from Greek, Thracian, and Trojan mythology, weaving together themes of war, family, and love, with an overarching sense of tragedy. Stuck’s vocal, choral, and orchestral writing amplifies the dramatic power of Pellegrin’s text, providing space for intense monologues, mournful laments, and resolute duets, all enriched by vigorous choral passages and stirring dance music. This production serves as a fitting continuation of Vashegyi’s previous explorations, following his interpretation of Gervais’s Hypermnestre (1716) and the compilation of the composer’s major motets.” Glossa Music