Soloists; Purcell Choir; Orfeo Orchestra; Gyorgy Vashegyi
Description
Jean-Philippe Rameau's opéra-ballet Les Fêtes d'Hébé gains a stirring and bright-coloured new recording from a starry line-up of soloists, György Vashegyi, his Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra.
Though first performed at the end of the 1730s – between the two tragédies of Castor et Pollux and Dardanus – this work has received much less modern recognition for its qualities than either of the other two, although it had a substantial success with its first run of over 70 performances; an entertainment mixing delight and longing, underpinned by Rameau's colourful and sophisticated orchestration and coupled with his supremely inspired pastoral writing.
Now, with a new edition prepared by Pascal Denécheau (who also writes the booklet essay here), this new production presents modern-day stars of the French Baroque in Chantal Santon Jeffery, Olivia Doray, Judith van Wanroij, Reinoud Van Mechelen, Mathias Vidal and David Witczak.
They all relish in a libretto (peopled by characters from mythology and the Ancient World) which aims at celebrating the artistic aptitudes to be found on the stage of the Opéra in Paris:
Poetry, Music and Dance (from which derives the opera's subtitle of "Les Talents lyriques").
This new recording presents the June 1739 version of this opéra ballet (whilst embracing changes made in revivals from across subsequent decades), and additionally includes the original version of the second entrée, "La Musique".
Critial Acclaim
"Gyorgy Vashegyi, his Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra, with an accomplished group of soloists enliven this musically rewarding score with imagination and rhythmic vitality." - BBC Music Magazine
"the tender Purcell Choir and responsive Orfeo Orchestra combine lyrical talents charmingly. ... Vashegyi and his orchestra cultivate translucent finesse that is in its own way irresitible." - Gramaphone Magazine
"The recording made by the Orfeo Orchestra conducted by György Vashegyi certainly captures the splendor and drama of Rameau's music. […] It operates with a distinct, quite massive sound for the Baroque, making Rameau's music sound dramatic even by the standards of a modern listener brought up on the music of the 19th century." - prestoportal.pl
Tracklisting
Lina Tur Bonet, Musica Alchemica
Eduardo Eguez, La Compagnia del Madgriale
La Compagnia del Madrigale
Orchestra of the 18th Century; Frans Bruggen
Le Concert Spirituel; Herve Niquet
Graindelavoix; Bjorn Schmelzer; Manuel Mota
Jose Maria Lo Monaco; Stefano Aresi; Stile Galante
Orchestra of the 18th Century
Soloists; Purcell Choir; Orfeo Orchestra; Gyorgy Vashegyi
Soloists; Purcell Choir; Orfeo Orchestra; Gyorgy Vashegyi
Soloists; Purcell Choir; Orfeo Orchestra; Gyorgy Vashegyi
