Sergei Prokofiev: L'Amour des Trois Oranges - Kent Nagano - Opéra de Lyon

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953): L'Amour des Trois Oranges - Kent Nagano - Opéra de Lyon
Opera | Early 20th Century | 2CD | EACRip | APE+LOG+CUE | Covers | RS.com | 462MB
Label: Virgin | Year of release: 2006 | DDD

L'Amour des Trois Oranges, Opera in four acts

Catherine Dubosc - Ninette
Gabriel Bacquier - The King of Clubs
Jean-Luc Viala - The Prince
Georges Gautier - Truffaldino

Chorus & Orchestra of the Opéra de Lyon
Kent Nagano

Prokofiev.org review:

This CD set received the Gramophone award for best opera recording of (forgive my memory lapse) 1989 or 1990. And it's easy to see why. Though it's sung in French (Prokofiev, who wrote the libretto in Russian, did approve a French-language version for the opera's premier), the core of the work comes through here to marvelous effect: Nagano and company vigorously stir the mixture of farcical slap-stick and acid-laced joyous music to make for tasty oranges for the jaded palette. There's not a moment's inattention by the conductor to the rambunctious goings-on in Prokofiev's opera. You can practically see the action on stage: the spectators (comedians, tragedians, empty-heads, romantics, etc.) arguing vociferously at the outset over what they shall see; nasty Fata Morgana (splendidly sung by Michelle Lagrange) casting wicked spells; Truffaldino (characterfully performed by Georges Gautier) and the prince hiding from the giant cook; the mad chase near the end of Smeraldina, Clarissa and Leandro. It's all here in splendid singing, abetted by gorgeous sonics and vivid acoustical atmosphere.
The playing by the Lyon Opera Orchestra is never less than exuberant and brilliant: the well-know march and scherzo are deliciously rendered, and there's so much frothy verve to their performance in general, you could hardly expect this level of orchestral panache bettered by even some of the world-class ensembles.

Robert Cummings

Tracklist:

CD1
1 Prologue (3:44)
2 The King's palace (1. Akt) (9:40)
3 Celio and Fata Morgana (3:35)
4 The King's palace (10:09)
5 The Prince's bedroom (2. Akt) (6:48)
6 The courtyard of the palace (15:51)

CD2
1 A desert (3. Akt) (9:37)
2 The courtyard of Creonta's palace (7:55)
3 A desert (23:07)
4 Celio and Fata Morgana (4. Akt) (3:33)
5 The Throne Room of the King's palace (7:48)


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