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Laura Claycomb, Alastair Miles, Joan Rodgers & Sébastien Droy Geoffrey Mitchell Choir & Philharmonia Orchestra, Andrew Litton In recent years there has been increased interest in the works of Ambroise Thomas, particularly in his ambitious setting of Hamlet (1868), which has been revived with success at London’s Covent Garden, the New York Met, Barcelona, Paris and elsewhere. His other major success was Mignon (1866), which had more than 1,200 performances at the Opéra-Comique up to the end of the 19th century. Opera Rara now takes a further important step in the rediscovery of this fascinating figure with a new recording of his 1855 opéra-comique La Cour de Célimène (Célimène’s Court). Set in 1750 in a château near Paris, the opera deals with a young widowed Countess who has no fewer than 14 suitors. The role was written for the legendary coloratura Marie Miolan-Carvalho, who also created roles in four of Gounod’s operas, notably Marguerite in Faust, Juliette in Roméo et Juliette and the title-role in Mireille. Here, the Countess is sung by Laura Claycomb, with Alastair Miles, Joan Rodgers and Sébastien Droy at her side. Given the large cast, it’s not surprising that the work’s ensembles have been picked out by scholars as highlights of a score that is sure to delight lovers of French opera.
The 2CD set comes with a lavishly illustrated book including libretto with an English translation. Richard Langham Smith gives a detailed account of the composer, the opera and its composition. “Andrew Litton and his cast deliver this high-class froth with verve and lightness of touch. Alastair Miles impresses as the affably cynical Commander, more excited by property than love. Sébastien Droy delivers his lovesong with honeyed elegance, while Laura Claycomb's Countess pirouettes into the stratosphere with easy grace.” The Telegraph, 7th June 2008 | 
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Janice Watson (soprano), Lesley Garrett (soprano), Diana Montague (mezzo-soprano), Toby Spence (tenor), Christopher Maltman (baritone), Sir Thomas Allen (baritone), David Watkin (cello), John Cohen (cello) & Ronald Schneider (fortepiano) Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Sir Charles Mackerras Così fan tutte is Mozart’s third opera to a Da Ponte libretto. It is in opera buffa style and has only six characters,
two couples and an elderly philosopher and a trusted maid. In this recording Lesley Garrett sings the part of the
maid, Despina, and the celebrated veteran Sir Thomas Allen the philosopher, Don Alfonso. Despite the somewhat
cynical storyline this opera contains some of Mozart’s most memorable and sublime music.
The conductor, Sir Charles Mackerras, has spent many years researching performance practice of the eighteenth
and nineteenth centuries and is a noted authority on Mozart’s operas. He writes of this recording, ‘it is indeed a
pleasure having the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment lending its expertise in tonal colour, phrasing and
rhythmic impulse to Mozart’s wonderful score… I have chosen to record this English version of Così fan tutte with
the traditional cuts, thus making it closer to a staged performance’. The English translation, by the Rev. Browne,
was first used in London at a performance conducted by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford in 1890. “M is for Mozart, Mackerras and magic. The Australian conductor - surely the world’s most illuminating and rewarding Mozartian - conjures sounds of mercurial brilliance and heart-stopping beauty from the OAE and his all-British cast in this vernacular version of Mozart’s most enigmatic comedy.” Sunday Times, 4th May 2008 **** “Charles Mackerras, always a rewarding Mozart conductor, directs a taut, urgent account of the opera. Recitatives tumble inevitably into arias. Yet, despite his penchant for mobile tempos, Mackerras is fully alive to Così 's uniquely voluptuous, nostalgic tinta.
Crucially in an opera of ensembles, the cast works well as a close-knit team, whether in the concerted numbers or in the recitatives, taken at a natural, conversational pace.” The Telegraph, 3rd May 2008 “This recording lacks an underlying dramatic conviction, despite punchy playing from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Mackerras.
It's a shame, because Toby Spence, Christopher Maltman, Janice Watson and Diana Montague are nicely matched fair-weather lovers. But the direction seems moot. Lesley Garrett's devilsome maid Despina hams too much to the absent crowd, tonally rather too music-hall for the rest of the recording.” The Times, 12th April 2008 *** “This is an account of Così which seems to put momentum first. The opening chord, more ferocious than one would expect, gives way to a rattling overture, and tension and pace never let up.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2008 *** |
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Nicole Cabell, James Westman, Massimo Giordano, Frank Lopardo & Brindley Sherratt Geoffrey Mitchell Choir & Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Mark Elder The 2 CD set comes with a lavishly illustrated book including a complete libretto with an English translation. Jeremy Commons gives a detailed account of the story behind the opera and its composition. “[This recording's] strengths lie in powerhouse performances from James Westman as Bonifacio and Massimo Giordano as Imelda's appalling brother Lamberto. Nicole Cabell's Imelda, though exquisite, seems disengaged in comparison. Mark Elder's conducting is wonderfully insistent, while the dark, period sound of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment adds immeasurably to the oppressive atmosphere of it all.” The Guardian, 18th April 2008 **** |
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Christine Brewer, Richard Margison, Robert Lloyd, Rebecca Evans, Peter Wedd, Pavlo Hunka, Christopher Purves Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra, David Parry | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Barry Banks, Elizabeth Vidal, Rebecca Evansal, Majella Cullagh, Sarah Fox, Diana Montague, Lesley Garrett, Simon Keenlyside, John Tomlinson Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, New London Children’s Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras Sung in English | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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John Tomlinson, Nina Stemme, Eric Halfvarson, Kim Begley, Patricia Bardon, Peter Wedd Philharmonia Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, David Parry | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Nelly Miricioiu, Bruce Ford, Roberto Servile, Maria Costanza Nocentini, Colin Lee Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, David Parry | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Andrew Shore, Alan Woodrow, Peter Bronder, Stuart Kale, Clive Bayley, Leslie John Flanagan, Iain Paterson, John Graham-Hall, Dame Josephine Barstow, Jean Rigby Susan Singh Choristers, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra, Paul Daniel Sung in English | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Patricia Bardon, Julian Gavin, Garry Magee, Mary Plazas Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, New London Children's Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra, David Parry Sung in English | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Paul Charles Clarke, Alastair Miles, Mary Plazas, Garry Magee, Diana Montague, Matthew Hargreaves, Sarah Walker Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra, David Parry Sung in English | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Gramophone Magazine
