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.
Op茅ra-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 op茅ra-comiques. The series draws to a close in classic op茅ra-comique territory with the tragic finale of Auber's version of Manon.
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Georges Bizet
Carmen聽: 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)聽: Adieu, notre petite table 鈥�..Quelqu'un? Il ne faut pas de trouble f锚te
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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Fran莽ois鈥怉drien Bo茂eldieu
La dame blanche (Act 1)聽: Sonnez, sonnez, sonnez cors et musettes; Ah! Quel plaisir que d'
Performer: Dickson - Jean-Paul Fouch茅court (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 Fran莽ois Esprit Auber
Le Domino Noir (Act 2)聽: T茅m茅raire! 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), Ang猫le d鈥橭livar猫s - 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 f锚te! 鈥�.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 2009 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Mon 30 Nov 2009 22:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Mon 23 Aug 2010 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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