Arts & Culture

Aimez-vous Molière?  This week Toronto Masque Theatre will unveil a production exploring Molière's life and work through music, theatre and dance. A Molière Celebration will run from May 12-15 in the Al Green Theatre at Bloor and Spadina. Tickets at www.torontomasquetheatre.com or at 416-410-4561.

Dance and incidental music by Lully and Charpentier, both masters of French baroque opera, will add zest to excerpts in English and French from Moliere's Le malade imaginaire and Le bourgeois gentilhomme

The great French dramatist (1622-1673) was a favourite at the court of King Louis XIV, and he is still a hot ticket. In 2008 Molière was  the subject of an exciting play by Mexican playwright Sabina Berman that enjoyed a successful run at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto.  In London Martin Crimp has scored a mega-hit with the revival of his "stinging, zinging" adaptation of Molière's Le Misanthrope. 

Do you need a crash course in French baroque music or drama? The Performing Arts and Languages Centre  has plays by Molière in both French and English, as well as scores and recordings of operas and incidental music by Lully and Charpentier.  Don't miss Lully's beautiful opera on DVD  Cadmus & Hermione.