Meyerbeer in France

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Release Date: 19th Aug 2016
Catalogue No: 94732
Label: Brilliant Classics
Length: 74 minutes

Opera

June 2017

Recording of the Month

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Robert Le Diable

Work length3:56

$1.00

$1.30

Hjördis Thébault (soprano)
Svetoslav Obretonov Bulgarian Choir, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Didier Talpain

Robert le diable (Robert the Devil): Robert le diable, Act II: Accourez au-devant d'elle

Track length3:56

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: L'Africaine

Work length5:18

$1.00

$1.30

Pierre-Yves Pruvot (baritone), Hjördis Thébault (soprano)
Svetoslav Obretonov Bulgarian Choir, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Didier Talpain

L' Africaine (The African Maid) (Sung in French): L' Africaine, Act III: Adamastor, roi des vagues profondes

Track length5:18

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Le Prophete

Work length5:14

$1.00

$1.30

Svetoslav Obretonov Bulgarian Choir, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Didier Talpain

Le prophete (The Prophet): Le prophete, Act I: Prelude - La brise est muette

Track length5:14

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Les Huguenots

Work length6:28

$1.00

$1.30

Hjördis Thébault (soprano)
Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Didier Talpain

Les Huguenots: Les Huguenots, Act IV: Je suis seule chez moi … Parmi les pleurs

Track length6:28

$1.00

$1.30

Meyerbeer: L'etoile du nord (Sung in French)

Work length12:02

$3.00

$3.90

Hjördis Thébault (soprano), Pierre-Yves Pruvot (baritone)
Svetoslav Obretonov Bulgarian Choir, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Didier Talpain

L'etoile du nord (Sung in French): Act I: A la Finlande, buvez!

Track length3:21

$1.00

$1.30

L'etoile du nord (Sung in French): Act I: De quelle ville es-tu?

Track length8:41

$2.00

$2.60

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Dinorah

Work length6:51

$1.00

$1.30

Pierre-Yves Pruvot (baritone)
Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Didier Talpain

Dinorah "Le pardon de Ploërmel": Dinorah, "Le pardon de Ploermel", Act I: O puissante, puissante magie

Track length6:51

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Le Prophete

Work length4:11

$2.00

$2.60

Le prophete (The Prophet): Act III: Voici les fermières

Track length2:49

$1.00

$1.30

Le prophete (The Prophet): Act III: Valse des patineurs

Track length1:22

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Robert Le Diable

Work length6:21

$1.00

$1.30

Robert le diable (Robert the Devil): Robert le diable, Act IV: Robert, toi que j'aime

Track length6:21

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Le Prophete

Work length1:48

$1.00

$1.30

Le prophete (The Prophet): Le prophete, Act III: Ballet: Par toi Munster nous fut promis

Track length1:48

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: Dinorah

Work length6:04

$1.00

$1.30

Dinorah "Le pardon de Ploërmel": Dinorah, "Le pardon de Ploermel", Act III: Ah! Mon remords te venge

Track length6:04

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Meyerbeer: L'Africaine

Work length16:25

$4.00

$5.20

L' Africaine (The African Maid) (Sung in French): Act V: Emmenez cette femme

Track length3:31

$1.00

$1.30

L' Africaine (The African Maid) (Sung in French): Act V: D’ici je vois la mer immense

Track length4:43

$1.00

$1.30

L' Africaine (The African Maid) (Sung in French): Act V: O riante couleur

Track length4:41

$1.00

$1.30

L' Africaine (The African Maid) (Sung in French): Act V: Partis, partis!

Track length3:30

$1.00

$1.30

About
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About

Renowned in his lifetime, Giacomo Meyerbeer – born Jakob Liebmann Meyer Beer – was one of the first opera composers to truly establish himself as master of the genre. His fame was at a height in the mid-19th century, as he managed to produce hit after hit in the grand opéra style. Like his contemporary Halévy, he was one of the first truly successful Jewish composers, at a time when Jews’ roles in society were changing fast; many of his operas, therefore, explore themes of societal exclusion and otherness. These include Robert le Diable, in which the eponymous Robert is the son of the Devil, the spectacular Les Huguenots, which depicts the 1572 massacre of French Huguenots at the hands of the ruling Catholics, and Le Prophète, featuring the sinister Anabaptist sect. Although Meyerbeer takes on big themes – good versus evil, the clash of large political forces – his true compositional strength lies in his masterful portrayal of the characters’ emotional anguish and joy, as the audience mourns and celebrates with them throughout.

This release features some of the best-known arias from Meyerbeer’s French operas, when he was at the height of his creative output. Isabelle’s torment at Robert’s diabolical behaviour in Robert le Diable, as the protagonist turns to witchcraft and eschews his worldly power, is beautifully depicted in the sweet and soothing melody line, as Isabelle seems to weave a spell over the tormented man. Act Four of Les Huguenots contains a beautiful recitative and aria for soprano, ‘Je suis seule chez moi’, and was first sung by Cornélie Falcon. Her dramatic, exceptionally powerful voice was renowned in her lifetime, and led to the term ‘falcon soprano’ – now the established tone for sopranos taking on Meyerbeer’s arias.

Certainly, none of the artists on this album disappoint. Experienced French singers Hjördis Thébault and Pierre‐Yves Pruvot – who between them have performed in opera houses around the world – are brilliantly supported by the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Didier Talpain, a dedicated champion of French opera who has previously staged works by Meyerbeer, Bizet and Saint‐Saëns.

Recorded in Sofia, Bulgaria in June 2013.

Meyerbeer in France

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