4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An oldie but a goodie!, May 9, 2007
This review is from: Berlioz - La Damnation De Faust ; Debussy -La Demoiselle Élue (2 CD) (RCA Victor) (Audio CD)
Yeah, yeah--I know it's over 50 years old. Yeah, it's not a digital original. I know all this. BUT--this may be the most idiomatic, truly French interpretation of Belioz' "Damnation" (as Shaw called it) available.
Charles Munch had a touch with his native repertoire seldom equalled since. Listen to the orchestral playing in the transition to Auerbach's cellar in Part One. It is absolutely clear and transparent, giving the feel of Mephisto's magic carpet. The showpieces--Hungarian March, Minuet, Dance of the Sylphs--are splendid.
The vocalists are fine, even though David Poleri has tendency to yell the sky-high notes that Faust must sing. Suzanne Danco has a rich mezzo-soprano, its creamy tone ideal for Marguerite. And Martial Singher gives a paradigmatic interpretation of Mephisto. His light, dry, French baritone sketches a devil with elegance and true magical powers, mixed with a truly evil sound.
The chorus does its major role with relish.
Get this set--you'll like it!
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