Gluck: J'ai perdu mon Eurydice (from Orphée et Eurydice)

This singer possessed a remarkably beautiful voice, an excellent singing technique and a wide vocal range. After her debut in 1899, her career began successfully in Europe. She moved to North America in 1907 and was immensely popular there until her sudden death in 1915. She is particularly remembered for her portrayal of Dalila and Gluck’s Orfeo.

Andrew Kennedy has established himself as one of the best and brightest young tenors performing today; as a leading exponent of song (winning the song prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 2005), and by performing regularly in opera houses around the world. This new recital disc contains a sumptuous selection of arias by Gluck, Mozart and Berlioz, and is accompanied by London’s Southbank Sinfonia, conducted by Simon Over.

Internationally-acclaimed harpist, Sandrine Chatron, playing the beautiful 18th century harp by Sébastien Érard, takes us on a musical journey that recreates the intimate atmosphere of a musical salon at the time of Marie-Antoinette.

In this third recording in the Cité de la Musique series, Sandrine Chatron plays the very rare and 18th-century harp by Sébastien Érard. The programme recreates the intimate atmosphere of a musical salon at the time of Queen Marie-Antoinette. It includes works by Gluck, Mozart and Gossec, as well as world premiere recordings of compositions by Dauvergne, Saint-George and Krumpholtz.

The music selected illustrates the diversity of repertory linked with the figure of Queen Marie-Antoinette, a music-lover, performer, inspiration, or patron of the arts. She helped several composers in their careers, including Gluck, her teacher, and Grétry, both of whom are found on this recording with other composers from the time of Marie-Antoinette.