Rameau's Zoroastre: Opera Matinee 20 October

[doversoul1]

Today's Opera Matinee is a recording from this year's Montpellier festival of Rameau's Zoroastre.The story takes place in the ancient kingdom of Bactria and deals with the forces of Good, led by Zoroastre, contending with the forces of Evil, led by the sorcerer Abramane. Unusually for operas of the time the story is not taken from Classical mythology but from Persian religion. The historical Zoroaster was an important figure in Masonic circles and as with Mozart's The Magic Flute, there are obvious connections between the opera and Freemasonry. Presented by Penny Gore

Zoroastre.....Reinoud van Mechelen (countertenor)
Abramane.....Nicolas Courjal (bass)
Erinice .....Emmanuelle de Negri (soprano)
Amélite.....Katherine Watson (soprano)
Zopire/Oromasès.....Christian Immler (baritone)
Céphie.....Léa Desandre (mezzo-soprano)
Pygmalion Ensemble
Raphaël Pichon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07z793f

No chopping up: all five acts on one programme. Following last weeks Handel, this is another treat.

[Nick Armstrong]

No chopping up: all five acts on one programme. Following last weeks Handel, this is another treat.

With the additional advantage over the Handel of not being presented by last week's..... ahem, no let's stay positive: of being presented by this week's afternoon MC Penny Gore

[doversoul1]

With the additional advantage over the Handel of not being presented by last week's..... ahem, no let's stay positive: of being presented by this week's afternoon MC Penny Gore

I refrained from pointing that out and reminding last year’s Zaïs presentation

[kuligin]

What a contrast in presentation.

For Berenice we were told that the opera was rarely performed because the plot was so complicated. A very brief resume was rattled of in a tone of voice suggesting it was nonsensical. In fact the plot of Berenice is no more complicated than such repertoire opera as Alcina.

The libretto of Zorastre is not straight forward, but today it was explained clearly and logically. Enjoyment of the opera greatly improved.

[Nick Armstrong]

This is absolutely terrific. Zoroastre is one of the Rameau operas I know best, and this is a fantastic performance!

[doversoul1]

I am enjoying this very much. I’d be very grateful for a CD recommendation with the full libretto and an English translation.

[MickyD]

This is absolutely terrific. Zoroastre is one of the Rameau operas I know best, and this is a fantastic performance!

I agree and I am still gnashing my teeth to think that I had no idea that this was on in Montpellier last summer, just one hour from me!

[MickyD]

I am enjoying this very much. I’d be very grateful for a CD recommendation with the full libretto and an English translation.

I have both the old Kuijken recording and the newer Christie one - both originally had full libretti and English translations, ds, but I'm not sure if they have in their latest incarnations. Christie's can be had on Amazon for just around £11.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B008F2J3T4/ref=tmm_acd_new_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1476991290&sr=8-1

But I have to say that I still remain very fond of the Kuijken version...maybe because it was the first one I heard. Whichever you go for, it is a marvellous work.

[Richard Barrett]

I have both the old Kuijken recording and the newer Christie one - both originally had full libretti and English translations, ds, but I'm not sure if they have in their latest incarnations. Christie's can be had on Amazon for just around £11.

But I have to say that I still remain very fond of the Kuijken version...maybe because it was the first one I heard. Whichever you go for, it is a marvellous work.

I was going to say the exact same thing.

[vinteuil]

I have both the old Kuijken recording and the newer Christie one - both originally had full libretti and English translations, ds, but I'm not sure if they have in their latest incarnations. Christie's can be had on Amazon for just around £11.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B008F2J3T4/ref=tmm_acd_new_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1476991290&sr=8-1

But I have to say that I still remain very fond of the Kuijken version...maybe because it was the first one I heard. Whichever you go for, it is a marvellous work.

... both are indeed excellent. The Christie you refer to looks the same as the one I have : it contains the libretto and translations.

The ten-CD Kuijken edition has Zoroastre as CDs 8-10 - no libretto, but it's a bargain box -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007AR7QZI

.

[doversoul1]

Thank you for the recommendation. The Christie recording seems to be the only one available other than the box set. The £28 one says new so it should have the libretto but I’m never 100% sure about these market place items.

[Bryn]

Please do not forget the Drottningholm/Rousset/Audi DVDs or Blu-ray. No printed libretto but subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

[MickyD]

Good reminder, Bryn. I've been meaning to get that set for ages. Sadly it will have to wait for the moment, due to all the expense I've gone to on a new bathroom!

I think I prefer the Kuijken version to the Christie for its speeds and lovely recorded acoustic.