Customer Reviews

Berlioz: La Damnation De Faust

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I would like to second the review of this recording by M. Villalobos. I have heard many performances over the years of this, one of my favourite works, and I absolutely agree that this is the finest I have yet encounted.
Robert Leech is simply the best Faust on disc, probably the high point of his career, the other solists are fine although I don't fully appreciate Francoise Pollet's Margeruite, she sounds too mature for the part though there is nothing wrong with her singing. Orchestra, chorus, recording, all stunning and Dutoit here proves he is one of the great Berlioz interpreters of recent times. Those who appreciate the special genius of Hector Berlioz might also investigate Dutoit's recording of the Gande Messe de Morts, another winner of what for me is probably the finest music ever written.

What a find! This mostly forgotten version of Berlioz's fantastic opera/oratorio hybrid is among the best on disc. It comes in beautifully boxed multi disc jewel case with full libretto and translations. The sonics are incomparable. Decca's mixing is near perfect. The sonics have the same qualities of natural detail as Solti's much loved recording of this same work but without the metallic tone that it suffers from due to being a very early outing of digital. Dutoit's has the warm sound of later digital. Incidentally the sound is much better than Chung's much over-hyped DG recording.. sorry but hearing Bryn Terfel whispering directly in my left ear all the time is hardly realistic or natural. Sonically Dutoit's is the best sounding Faust on disc.

Dutoit is a seasoned Berliozian and he does not disappoint here. His interpretation is lively and energetic and beautiful if a bit too precise at times and slightly stiff rhythmically. The real and pleasant surprise is Richard Leech as Faust. I think he's better than Kenneth Riegel for Solti as I never liked Riegel's gargly tone. Leech is fresher and brighter in tone than Gedda on Phillips for Colin Davis and can do anything technically Gedda can do. Trust me, Richard Leech steals the show in this recording - he's that good here. In my opinion no one can touch him as Faust on disc. Francoise Pollet's Marguerite is excellent but not the best I've heard that distinction would have to go to von Otter on DG for Chung and of older recordings Janet Baker with Pretre. Still Pollet has a very nice sounding voice if a bit lacking in control but she expresses very well. She reminds me a bit of Veasey on the Davis disc only without the sour tone. I've never liked von Stade that much on Solti's. I've always thought her voice too lyrical and frail. I like Pollet's more luxurious sound better but she still captures Marguerite`s innocence. Gilles Cachemaille does a fine Mephistopheles and he characterizes him well enough and his tone is very pleasant, unlike Terfel's nasally tone on Chung's. However, no one surpasses Van Dam for Solti - no one. The Montreal Symphony does a miraculous job here and the Chorus is simply sumptuous and really envelopes the listener. All in all this is a sublime version of a masterpiece... one of the most unique scores ever by one of the greatest of all composers. No Berlioz fan should be without this amazing recording! Overall, this is my favorite version on disc.