Inspirational Provence
Donald Macleod explains how the landscape of Provence inspired Gounod's opera Mireille.
When Gounod decided to base his latest opera on the epic poem by the Proven莽al writer Fr茅d茅ric Mistral, he went to meet the poet and soak up the atmosphere of Mistral's native land. Gounod was so inspired by the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside that he completed most of the opera within a month. He returned to Provence two years later and once again found the stimulus he needed to write his next opera, based on Shakespeare's tragic tale of star-crossed lovers. Donald Macleod introduces highlights from both works, one quickly disappearing from the stage, the other proving to be the only immediate operatic success Gounod would have in his lifetime.
Last on
Music Played
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
D茅esse ou femme [La Colombe]
Performers: Isabelle Vernet (soprano), Laurent Martin (piano)
- Ligia Digital:LIDI 0201010.
- 5.
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
Mireille (Overture)
Orchestra: Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse. Conductor: Michel Plasson.Performers: Orchestre des Rencontres Musicales, Lausanne, Conductor, Cyril Diederich
- CASCAVELLE: VEL1048.
- 1.
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
Mireille Act II: Ourrias
Performers: Mireille Danielle Borst, Ourrias Marcel Vanaud, Ramon Jean-Philippe Courtis, Ambroise Chris de Moor, Orchestre des Rencontres Musicales, Lausanne, Conductor Cyril Diederich,
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
Romeo and Juliet: Act II complete
Performers: Romeo Placido Domingo, Juliet Ruth Ann Swenson, Mercutio Kurt Ollmann, Gertrude Sarah Walker, Gregorio Erick Freulon, Chorus of the Bavarian Radio, Munich Radio Orchestra, Conductor, Leonard Slatkin,
- RCA Victor: 09026 68440 2.
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
D茅esse ou femme [La Colombe]
Performers: Isabelle Vernet (soprano), Laurent Martin (piano)
- Ligia Digital:LIDI 0201010.
- 5.
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
Mireille (Overture)
Orchestra: Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse. Conductor: Michel Plasson.- CASCAVELLE: VEL1048.
- 1.
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
Mireille Act II: Ourrias: Pourquoi de vous charmer n ai-je pas le pouvoir?
- CASCAVELLE: VEL1048.
-
![]()
Charles Gounod
Romeo and Juliet: Act II complete
Performers: Romeo Placido Domingo, Juliet Ruth Ann Swenson, Mercutio Kurt Ollmann, Gertrude Sarah Walker, Gregorio Erick Freulon, Chorus of the Bavarian Radio, Munich Radio Orchestra, Conductor, Leonard Slatkin,
- RCA Victor: 09026 68440 2.
Broadcasts
- Wed 27 Feb 2013 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Wed 27 Feb 2013 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
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 鈥� 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.