A Long-Held Dream Comes to Fruition
Donald introduces highlights from Gounod's much-loved opera Faust together with excerpts from one of a handful of the composer's sacred pieces still performed today.
In 1855, the 37 year-old's reputation as an opera composer wasn't quite where he'd like it to be, but Gounod was beginning to make a name for himself thanks in particular to a handful of songs, a couple of symphonies, and a large quantity of music for the church.
Gounod finally got the opportunity he'd been waiting for, to turn Goethe's epic poem Faust into an opera and have it staged in Paris. Donald Macleod introduces highlights from this much-loved work together with excerpts from one of a handful of Gounod's sacred pieces still performed today.
Last on
Music Played
-
Charles Gounod
Faites-lui mes aveux (Faust Act III, Sc.1)
Performers: Siebel- Martine Mahé, Orchestre de Capitole de Toulouse, Conductor Michel Plasson
- EMI CDC 754229/31.
- 18.
-
Charles Gounod
St Cecilia mass - Sanctus
Performers: Barbara Hendricks (soprano), Laurence Dale (tenor), Jean-Philippe Lafont (baritone), Choir of Radio France, New Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor, Georges Prêtre,
- EMI CDC747094 2.
-
Charles Gounod
St Cecilia mass - Benedictus
Barbara Hendricks (soprano) Laurence Dale (tenor) Jean-Philippe Lafont (baritone) Choir of Radio France New Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor, Georges Prêtre
- EMI CDC747094 2.
-
Charles Gounod
St Cecilia mass - Agnus dei
Barbara Hendricks (soprano) Laurence Dale (tenor) Jean-Philippe Lafont (baritone) Choir of Radio France New Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor, Georges Prêtre
- EMI CDC747094 2.
-
Charles Gounod
Quils sont doux bouteille jolie!
Performers:Sganarelle-Louis Musy Chorus of Orchestra of St Nicholas, Conductor Max d’Ollone
- Malibran:CDRG193.
- 10.
-
Charles Gounod
Faust Act II Sc5 - Ainsi que la brise legere ? Ne Pemettrez-vous pas ma belle demoiselle
Performers: Faust-Richard Leech, Mephistopheles-José van Dam, Marguerite -Cheryl Studer, Siebel-Martine Mahé, Choeur et Orchestre de Capitole de Toulouse, Conductor, Michel Plasson,
- EMI CDC 754229/31.
-
Charles Gounod
Faust Act III Sc 7 & 8
Performers: Faust -Richard Leech, Mephistopheles-José van Dam, Marguerite -Cheryl Studer, Dame Marthe-Nadine Denize, Choeur et Orchestre de Capitole de Toulouse, Conductor Michel Plasson
- EMI:CDC 754229/31.
-
Charles Gounod
Faites-lui mes aveux (Faust Act III, Sc.1)
Performers: Siebel- Martine Mahé, Orchestre de Capitole de Toulouse, Conductor Michel Plasson
- EMI CDC 754229/31.
- 18.
-
Charles Gounod
St Cecilia mass - Sanctus
Performers: Barbara Hendricks (soprano), Laurence Dale (tenor), Jean-Philippe Lafont (baritone), Choir of Radio France, New Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor, Georges Prêtre,
- EMI CDC747094 2.
-
Charles Gounod
St Cecilia mass - Benedictus
Barbara Hendricks (soprano) Laurence Dale (tenor) Jean-Philippe Lafont (baritone) Choir of Radio France New Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor, Georges Prêtre
- EMI CDC747094 2.
-
Charles Gounod
St Cecilia mass - Agnus dei
Barbara Hendricks (soprano) Laurence Dale (tenor) Jean-Philippe Lafont (baritone) Choir of Radio France New Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor, Georges Prêtre
- EMI CDC747094 2.
-
Charles Gounod
Quils sont doux bouteille jolie!
Performers:Sganarelle-Louis Musy Chorus of Orchestra of St Nicholas, Conductor Max d’Ollone
- Malibran:CDRG193.
- 10.
-
Charles Gounod
Faust Act II Sc5 - Ainsi que la brise legere ? Ne Pemettrez-vous pas ma belle demoiselle
Performers: Faust-Richard Leech, Mephistopheles-José van Dam, Marguerite -Cheryl Studer, Siebel-Martine Mahé, Choeur et Orchestre de Capitole de Toulouse, Conductor, Michel Plasson,
- EMI CDC 754229/31.
-
Charles Gounod
Faust Act III Sc 7 & 8
Performers: Faust -Richard Leech, Mephistopheles-José van Dam, Marguerite -Cheryl Studer, Dame Marthe-Nadine Denize, Choeur et Orchestre de Capitole de Toulouse, Conductor Michel Plasson
- EMI:CDC 754229/31.
Broadcasts
- Tue 26 Feb 2013 12:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
- Tue 26 Feb 2013 18:30´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.