Andromaque / Tragedie Lyrique [Import]

Gretry (Artist), Deshayes (Artist), Le Concert Sprituel (Artist), Niquet (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Glossa
• ASIN: B003JMGKK0
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,633 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Andromaque, opera: Ouverture

2. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 1. Cessez de répandre des larmes...

3. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 1. C'est le seul espoir qui me reste...

4. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 1. Si, fidèle au noeud qui l'engage...

5. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 2. Marche

6. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 2. Au vainqueur des Troyens...

7. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 2. De tous nos rois secondez la colère...

8. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 2. Non, non, ...je veux défendre et le fils et la mère...

9. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 2. Je ne fus que trop implacable...

10. Andromaque, opera: Act 1. Scene 2. Je défendrai contre eux est le fils eet la mère...

See all 28 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 1. Modérez ce transport jaloux...

2. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Régnez à jamais dans mon âme...

3. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Bientôt le pompe nuptiale...

4. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 3. Ne fuyez point un spectacle si doux!...

5. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 4. Elle fuit, la cruelle, et se rit de mes larmes...

6. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 4. Chère épouse, dit-il, je te laisse ce gage...

7. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 4. Et sa mère pourrait supporter son trépas?...

8. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 5. Hâtons-nous et quittons ce rivage...

9. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 6. Phoenix, il faut aux Grecs livrer le fils d'Hector...

10. Andromaque, opera: Act 2. Scene 6. Hélas! vous pouvez, sans pitié...

See all 42 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exhilirating work of extraordinary vitality, September 2, 2010

By 

wolfgang731 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Andromaque / Tragedie Lyrique (Audio CD)

Let's get a few things out of the way, shall we? Gretry was not Mozart, nor did he pretend to be. Every contemporary of the Salzburg genius is a candidate for immediate comparison it seems. Mozart is Mozart, nothing more need be said. Gretry's sole foray into opera seria (tragedie lyrique) is one of great and immediate appeal. Those familiar with his light, comic works know that Gretry was a composer of great talent, charm and Gallic vivacity. Of all the ones I've heard, there isn't one that doesn't utterly bewitch. With Andromaque, he doesn't seem content to just entertain as much as invigorate his audiences. From the powerful overture to the final chorus, this opera makes certain that attention never wanes and he does so not with bombast but rather with an extraordinary number of musical novelties that pricks the ear as well as the senses. I found myself smiling at Gretry's clever orchestration; an inexhaustible bag of tricks. It's an unusually short opera by late 18th century standards, running a little over 1-1/2 hour; however, I loved it so that I could have wished for an opera the length of Idomeneo or Giovanni. There are no seco recitatives like those found in the vast majority of operas of the time, the arias, duets and ensembles are rather brief and the chorus plays a very prominent role, (choral fans will delight) so things move along at an exhilarating clip. I listened to the entire work twice in one night and was about to attempt a third when I realized it was time to go to bed. Herve Niquet directs with his customary flair and vitality and makes Andromaque seem almost relevant. To boot he assembled a first rate cast of singers and the band Le Concert Spirituel hardly disappoints. Lovers of Gluck will savor this beguiling recording. Too bad Gretry limited himself to only one tragedy...LOL.