Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict [Import, Box set]

Susan Graham (Artist), Jean-Luc Viala (Artist), Choeur & Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon (Artist), Hector Berlioz (Composer), John Nelson (Conductor), Catherine Robbin (Performer), Gilles Cachemaille (Performer), Gabriel Bacquier (Performer), Vincent Le Texier (Performer), Sylvia McNair (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Catherine Robbin, Gilles Cachemaille, Gabriel Bacquier, Vincent Le Texier, Sylvia McNair
• Conductor: John Nelson
• Composer: Hector Berlioz
• Audio CD (May 5, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import, Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Erato Musifrance
• ASIN: B000005E8D
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,063 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Overture

2. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 1: No 1 - Le More est en fuite

3. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 2: Enfin cette guerre est terminée/Scene 3 - Monseigneur, je vous annonce l'arrivé

4. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 4: No 2 - Le More est en fuite/Scene 5 - Ne l'écoutez pas

5. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 5: No 2 - SICILIENNE

6. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 6: No 3 - Je vais le voir

7. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 7: Recevez mes félicitations, général!

8. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 7: No 4 - Comment le dédain pourrait-il mourir?

9. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 8: Ma fille, suivez-moi/Scene 9: Bénédic, ne partez pas

10. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act I - Scene 9: No 5 - Me marier? Dieu me pardonne!

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Entracte - Sicilienne

2. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 1: Du vin! du vin

3. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 1: No 9 - Le vin de Syracuse

4. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 2: No 10 - Dieu! Que viens-je d'entendre?

5. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 3: Qu'as-tu donc, Béatrice?

6. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 3: No 11 - Je vais d'un coeur aimant

7. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 3: On Nous attend, chère Ursule

8. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 3: No 12 - Viens! Viens, de l'hyménée

9. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 4: Ciel!/Scene 5 - Restez, ma chère nièce!

10. Béatrice et Bénédict, opera, H. 138: Act II - Scene 5: No 13 - Dieu qui guidas nos bras pour chasser l'infidèle

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-Rate Truly Complete Version of Berlioz Delight, October 9, 2003

By 

Nicholas A. Deutsch (Tarrytown, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict (Audio CD)

Shakespeare's plays had a profound and lasting effect on Hector Berlioz & his music: 2 major works, the dramatic symphony "Romeo et Juliette" & his last opera, "Beatrice et Benedict," as well as several shorter pieces. "B&B" has been described as "'Much Ado About Nothing' without the ado" -- & indeed Berlioz (who wrote his own libretto, both lyrics & spoken dialogue) eliminated the central intrigue around Hero & Claudio (who become minor characters) & concentrated instead on the battle of wits & evolving love between the volatile title characters. But it's the music rather than the plot that gives this work its irresistible charm & magic: "a caprice written with the fine point of a needle" was the composer's description (I believe), epitomized by the effervescent overture which remained in the repertoire even as the opera suffered neglect, at least until recent years.
We've now had 5 "complete" recordings on CD: that conducted by Daniel Barenboim, not currently available; no less than 3 conducted by Colin Davis; & this fine version from John Nelson, an outstanding Berlioz interpreter. And this is actually the only truly complete version, with ALL the dialogue (spoken largely by acting "doubles" which works better than in most such cases); Davis #1 & #3 have only the musical numbers, Davis #2 (with Janet Baker, etc.) has severely abridged dialogue performed by the singers, & Barenboim uses a narrator. So if you want to hear what Berlioz really intended -- & I recommend that you do -- this is your choice. Fortunately, it's an excellent ensemble effort, with outstanding women, including the young Susan Graham as Beatrice, & fine playing & choral work. Everyone seems to have gotten the scale of the work just right: not inflated to grand opera proportions, but not undercast or trivialized in any way. A fine achievement.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Berlioz, February 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict (Audio CD)

This is a perfect recording of this beautiful opera. Susan Graham is the ideal Beatrice: funny, warm, and impestuous. The highlights of this recording are, without a doubt, the duet of Hero and Ursula at the end of Act I, and the trio of Beatrice, Hero nad Ursula near the beginning of Act II. These are Berlioz at his most lyrical and beautifully sung.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Near to Mozart, August 26, 2001

By 

Santiago Barcon "Santiago" (Mexico city) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict (Audio CD)

A fantastic recording that I got due to a friend recomendation.It has several facets of Mozart, but handled in a french and particular way. This is Berlioz at his best and the singing of Graham is perfect. The recording is, as with Erato, clear and focused. The french diction is excellent, since they are several dialogues Highly recommended