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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.

1 hour

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.

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  • Tue 26 Feb 2013 12:00
  • Tue 26 Feb 2013 18:30

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