Episode 1
Donald Macleod explores the colourful world of the Parisian Opera-Comique, beginning with an attempt to define some of the characteristics of the genre.
Opéra-Comique can be a kind of opera, an institution or a building. All three have strong links with each other and specific characteristics which were quite different to the other types of opera on offer. Donald Macleod and his guest Karen Henson, an Assistant Professor at Columbia University with a special interest in French opera unravel the intricacies of nineteenth century Parisian operatic life.
0ver the course of five programmes they'll be looking at some of the big names of the 19th century including Bizet, Massenet, and Boieldieu, who penned the runaway hit La dame blanche. Boieldieu's own life story could make him a character in one of his own opéra-comiques. The series draws to a close in classic opéra-comique territory with the tragic finale of Auber's version of Manon.
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Music Played
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Georges Bizet
Carmen : L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
Performer: Carmen - Teresa Berganza (soprano), The Ambrosian Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (conductor)
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 419 636 2.
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Jules Massenet
Manon (Act 2) : Adieu, notre petite table …..Quelqu'un? Il ne faut pas de trouble fête
Performer: Manon - Angela Gheorghiu (soprano), Des Grieux - Robert Alagna (tenor), Monnaie Symphony Orchestra, Antonio Pappano (conductor)
- EMI CDC 55700006 2.
- 31 to 34.
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François‐Adrien Boïeldieu
La dame blanche (Act 1) : Sonnez, sonnez, sonnez cors et musettes; Ah! Quel plaisir que d'
Performer: Dickson - Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (tenor), Un paysan - Bernard Dehont (bass), Jenny - Annick Massis (soprano), Georges Brown - Rockwell Blake (tenor), Radio France Chorus, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Marc Minkowski (conductor)
- EMI 5 56355 2.
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Daniel François Esprit Auber
Le Domino Noir (Act 2) : Téméraire! Impie!....La bonne affaire!
Performer: Gill Perez - Jules Bastin (bass), Lord Elfort - Gilles Cachemaille (bass baritone), Jacinthe - Martine Olmeda (mezzo soprano), Horace de Massarena - Bruce Ford (tenor), Angèle d’Olivarès - Sumi Jo (soprano), London Voices, English Chamber Orchestra, Richard Bonynge (conductor)
- DECCA 440 60 6462.
- 21 to 24.
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Gaetano Donizetti
La fille du regiment : A mes amis, quel jour de fête! ….Le camarade est amoureux!
Performer: Tonio - Luciano Pavarotti (tenor), Le Caporal - Eric Garrett (bass), Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Richard Bonynge (conductor)
- DECCA 414 520-2.
- 12 + 13.
Broadcasts
- Mon 30 Nov 200912:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 30 Nov 200922:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 23 Aug 201012:00BBC Radio 3
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