Bizet L'Arlésienne
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Georges Bizet
Label: Valois
Magazine Review Date: 7/1999
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 110
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: V4839
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (L')Arlésienne |
Georges Bizet, Composer
(Jean) Sourisse Vocal Ensemble Daniel Mesguich, Wheel of Fortune Woman Georges Bizet, Composer Ianne Rouleau, Soprano Jean-Claude Malgoire, Conductor Toulouse National Chamber Orchestra |
Author: Patrick O'Connor
In his introductory essay in the booklet, Jean-Claude Malgoire states that his intention in this recording is to try to rediscover ‘the subtle, intimate blend of words and music’ in Bizet’s original version of the music for Daudet’s play L’Arlesienne. A few months ago I reviewed a German-language version of this, in which a narrator told the story in between the musical sequences (Capriccio, A/98). This new two-CD recording goes further. The play is read by an actor, Daniel Mesguich, who acts out all the parts, including the unhappy hero’s mother, Rose Mamai. He also reads out the stage directions and announces the name of each character before they speak. This makes for clarity, I suppose, but it is rather irritating.
The ‘intimate blend’ is achieved at some key moments, and several of the familiar tunes are heard in context sounding quite different from the way Bizet used them in his suite of themes, first played ten days after the premiere of the play in October 1872. It is instructive to hear the music in sequence but what would be really satisfying would be a full-scale recording with actors and stage effects.'
The ‘intimate blend’ is achieved at some key moments, and several of the familiar tunes are heard in context sounding quite different from the way Bizet used them in his suite of themes, first played ten days after the premiere of the play in October 1872. It is instructive to hear the music in sequence but what would be really satisfying would be a full-scale recording with actors and stage effects.'
Bizet L'Arlésienne
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