Orchestre de chambre de Paris, Herve Niquet & Flemish Radio Choir – Halevy: La Reine de Chypre (2018) [FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz]

Orchestre de chambre de Paris, Hervé Niquet & Flemish Radio Choir – Halévy: La Reine de Chypre (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 02:34:22 minutes | 2,47 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Booklet, Front Cover | © Ediciones Singulares

Berlioz wrote of Halévy’s La Reine de Chypre (1841): ‘Its success will at least equal that of La Juive. And Wagner added: ‘It is in La Reine de Chypre that Halévy’snew style hasappeared with themost brilliance and success.’ So several voices – and those by no means insignificant – have declared thiswork,written six years after LaJuive, to be its composer’s masterpiece. Premiered on 22 December 1841, Halévy’s opera offered the limelight to Rosine Stoltz in the title role: she was the only woman in the cast, for it had been found preferable to isolate her, following her incessant disputes with the other female singers in the company. Alongside her, the tenor Gilbert Duprez shone in the role of Gérard. The story takes the spectator on a voyage from the palaces of Venice to those of Cyprus. But despite an initial succe ss confirmed by seve ral translations and adaptations that appeared shortly after the first run (notably Lachner’s Caterina Cornaro in 1841 and Donizetti’s in 1843), the work gradually vanished from European opera houses.

We’ll admit: this Reine de Chypre by Fromental Halévy is probably not the unfairly-overlooked work of commanding genius for which the lyrical world has been waiting for fifty years… But it would still be a shame to miss it, especially when performed by such a line-up, with Véronique Gens, Cyrille Dubois and Etienne Dupuis at the top of the bill. And after all, the score is full of vocal marvels and very original ensembles; but it is rather in the orchestration – which is not much more adventurous than that of any other piece of Italian bel canto of the era – that Halévy has taken it easy. The melodic richness was pointed out in an article in the Revue et gazette musicale in April 1842: “In the Reine de Chypre, Halévy’s new style is on display with more dash, and more success. I have had occasion to point out the preconditions, as I see them, of the production of a good opera, by pointing out the obstacles which stand in the way of meeting these conditions fully and in good time, whether by the poet or the composer. When these conditions are met, it is an event of great importance for the world of art. Now, in the present case, circumstances have conspired in the performance of a work which, as even the most exacting critic must admit, possesses all the qualities which constitute a good opera. (…) The composer has put all the enchantment of his art into the duet that breathes the sentiments that enrapture them. The dark cloth on which these two charming figures are drawn shows through even in those songs which are so sparkling and alive with happiness, like a sinister cloud, and lends them a particular character of melancholy intrigue. There is no equal, in nobility or in grace, of the magnificent melody of the final part of this duet.” The article continues in this vein. The byline? One Richard Wagner…

Tracklist:
Jacques Halévy (1799-1862)
CD1
01. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Introduction
02. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Récitatif “Enfin, c’est aujourd’hui !”
03. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Romance “Le ciel est radieux”
04. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Duo “Gérard, Mon Gérard !”
05. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Récitatif et Trio “Salut noble Gérard !”
06. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Récitatif “Mais qu’ai-je vu !”
07. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Duo “Sommes-nous seuls ici ?”
08. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Chœur “Joie infinie !”
09. La Reine de Chypre, Acte I: Final “L’autel est préparé”
10. La Reine de Chypre, Acte II: Entracte
11. La Reine de Chypre, Acte II: Air “Le gondolier, dans sa pauvre nacelle”
12. La Reine de Chypre, Acte II: Air (Suite) “Et je perdrais mon bien suprême !”
13. La Reine de Chypre, Acte II: Récitatif “Catarina !”
14. La Reine de Chypre, Acte II: Duo “Arbitre de ma vie”
15. La Reine de Chypre, Acte III: Chœur et Ensemble “Buvons à Chypre”
16. La Reine de Chypre, Acte III: Chœur et Couplets “Au jeu mes amis !”
17. La Reine de Chypre, Acte III: Récitatif “Infâmes assassins !”
CD2
01. La Reine de Chypre, Acte III: Duo “Vous qui de la chevalerie”
02. La Reine de Chypre, Acte III: Duo (Suite) “Triste exilé”
03. La Reine de Chypre, Acte IV: Introduction et Chœur “Le beau jour, la belle fête”
04. La Reine de Chypre, Acte IV: Récitatif, Chœur et Ensemble “Peuple de Chypre”
05. La Reine de Chypre, Acte IV: Chœur et Marche “Gloire à la Reine !”
06. La Reine de Chypre, Acte IV: Scène et Air “Le voici donc enfin, l’instant de la vengeance”
07. La Reine de Chypre, Acte IV: Final “Qu’ai-je vu !”
08. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Introduction et Récitatif “Des docteurs de Venise”
09. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Air “Gérard ! Et c’est lui qui l’appelle !”
10. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Récitatif “Catarina ! Seigneur ! “
11. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Cavatine “À ton noble courage”
12. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Récitatif “Un chevalier français”
13. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Duo “Quand le devoir sacré”
14. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Récitatif “Gérard ! Fuyez !”
15. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Quatuor “À cet instant suprême”
16. La Reine de Chypre, Acte V: Marche et Final “Nous triomphons !”