La Caravane du Caire

André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (Composer), Marc Minkowski (Conductor), Ricercar Academy (Orchestra), Jules Bastin (Performer), Gilles Ragon (Performer), Philippe Huttenlocher (Performer), Guy de Mey (Performer), Vincent Le Texier (Performer), Isabelle Poulenard (Performer), Greta de Reyghere (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jules Bastin, Gilles Ragon, Philippe Huttenlocher, Guy de Mey, Vincent Le Texier, et al.
• Orchestra: Ricercar Academy
• Conductor: Marc Minkowski
• Composer: André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry
• Audio CD (September 9, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Ricercar
• ASIN: B0019ZF3KC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,151 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 1. Ouverture

2. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 1. Choeur. Aprčs un long voyage / Danse

3. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 1. Ariette. Ne suis-je pas aussi captive? / Reprise du choeur. Aprčs un long voyage / Récitatif

4. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 1. Duo. Malgré la fortune cruelle / Récitatif. Un, deux, tout ce calcul me fatique

5. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 1. Ariette. Qu'espčres-tu, téméraire Français? / Récitatif. Dieux! renoncer ŕ ce que j'aime

6. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 1. Trio. Hélas! je vous implore / Choeur. Les Arabes foncent sur nous / Ensemble. Frappons cett

7. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 1. Final. Que me demandes-tu?

8. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 2. Récitatif. Me voici de retour / Ariette et duo. J'ai des beautés piquantes / Récitatif. En t

9. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 2. Ariette. Oui, toujours j'aimai la France / Récitatif. Jalouse ŕ mon amant

10. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 2. Divertissement. Du Pacha qu'on révčre / Tambourin et récitatif. Almaďde, de votre zčle / Réc

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. La Caravane Du Caire, opera: Act 3. Récitatif. Vous brűlez de revoir les riens / Récitatif. Tu me condamnes donc / Ariette. Ah!

2. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Ouverture

3. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Duo. D'abord je donne de bons gages

4. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Ariette. Dans mon jeune âge

5. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Trio. Quand je songe au bonheur / Quatuor. Ah vous voilŕ mon cher époux

6. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Duo. Dans me regards

7. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Sextuor. Pour une femme qu'il est doux

8. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Duo. Amants qui vous plaignez

9. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Ariette. Certain coucou, certain hibou

10. Le Jugement de Midas, opera: Finale. O Dieu des arts

Editorial Reviews

La Caravane du Caire is one of the rare works that Grétry composed for the Académie Royale that respected the conventions of the institution. Full of verve and color, this opera was one of the greatest successes of his career. A few exotic touches and the presence of a ballet also contributed to the score's success.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grétry Masterwork, November 24, 2008

By 

Gregory M. Gorsuch (N. Charleston, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: La Caravane du Caire (Audio CD)

Listening to this complete and beautifully performed opera clearly demonstrates why it was highly acclaimed in its day. Brilliant, melodic passages; memorable tunes; comic touches makes this a gem worth owning. It is rare enough that Grétry is performed, even more rare that his works are performed in their entirety, add to it virtuosity and original instrumentation and you have a masterwork.

This recording went out of print a few years back and so grab it up while you can.

Also included on this recording are exerpted highlights of "The Judgement of Midas" another worderful work.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what a treat!, June 29, 2009

By 

Brett Farrell "Offenbachinate!!!" (Cape May, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: La Caravane du Caire (Audio CD)

As mentioned before this opera-comique did disappear from print and finding a used copy was just impossible. Thankfully it has been re-released. Of all the Gretry operas recorded this is my favorite. Directed by one of my favorite conductors, Marc Minkowski, with original orchestration this opera will become one of the highlights of any collection. The music is quite good and very unique for it's time. Mozart was one of Gretry's admirers and is said to have kept a Gretry score near his bed side. His influence on Moazrt can definitely be heard. As well as his influence on later French composers such as Boieldieu and Adam.
`La Carvane du Caire' is some of Gretry's most exciting music and it has a slight medieval sound to it and European ideas of Turkish music and genuine Turkish instruments. There is an especially exciting and wonderful drum piece at the end of track 13 and the beginning of the `Danse pour la Turcs'. I didn't know such exciting songs existed during the classical period. It is no wonder that this piece was so sensational when it first premièred. It was preformed over 500 times, a then unheard of thing. It has since slipped away but thankfully has been rediscovered. The public wasn't wrong in their admiration before and we are all the wiser and better off in its admiration today.
The two CD's come in a box but held in paper sleeves. There is a compelte book with a history of the piece and a complete libretto.
Also included is Gretry's worthy `Le Jugement de Midas'. It is but highlights from the original but these pieces are so good you can only help but wish for a complete recording. The story and lyrics are by none other than Voltaire who was an admirer of Gretry's.
I, like the other reviewer, strongly recommend this album. There is not a regrettable piece on it.