This is an unadulterated joy. Sémélé was the last of Marais’ tragédie lyriques, first given at the Paris Opéra in April 1709. For reasons that are not clear it failed to repeat the success of Alcyone (1706) and has since lain dormant, in part because the inner string parts were missing.

They have now been reconstructed by the French musicologist Gérard Geay, allowing us for the first time to hear at least the overture and dances. If the quality of the music on offer here is any indication, a recording of the full opera cannot come soon enough. The story of Semele’s seduction by Jupiter and the jealous response of Juno is well known from Handel’s great secular oratorio, and the précis of the story suggests it follows a very similar course in Marais’ setting.

Among highlights here are two slow contrapuntal ritornelles from act 2, the first including some daring dissonance, and the magnificent Chaconne from the same act. Act 3 brings music from an “infernal” scene, while act 4 introduces some charming rustic dances. The final act culminates with a terrifying “Tremblement de terre”, as Cadmus’ palace is destroyed.

The performances and playing under Wieland Kuijken, better known as a gambist than conductor, merit only a single word: superlative. Especially impressive is a depth and sonority of sound never gained at the expense of articulation and an awareness that this is dance music. Add to this a richly detailed SACD recording and you have a CD fully deserving of a sixth star. BRIAN ROBINS