Gounod - Roméo et Juliette [Box set]

Charles Gounod (Composer), Leonard Slatkin (Conductor), Münchner Rundfunkorchester (Orchestra), Plácido Domingo (Performer), Ruth Ann Swenson (Performer), Alastair Miles (Performer), Kurt Ollmann (Performer), Susan Graham (Performer), Alain Vernhes (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Plácido Domingo, Ruth Ann Swenson, Alastair Miles, Kurt Ollmann, Susan Graham, et al.
• Orchestra: Münchner Rundfunkorchester
• Conductor: Leonard Slatkin
• Composer: Charles Gounod
• Audio CD (April 16, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: 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: RCA
• ASIN: B000003G1G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,242 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #78 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Languages > French

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous performances in a lovely opera, September 26, 2004

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Gounod - Roméo et Juliette (Audio CD)

Though not as familiar as "Faust", Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" is almost as dramatic, passionate and melodic, and this 2 CD set has an ideal cast. Placido Domingo (who has also recorded a magnificent "Faust") was 54 at the time, but he sounds extremely youthful and tenderly in love, with a vibrant vigor in his voice that makes him a believable Romeo, and as Juliette, Ruth Ann Swenson is extraordinary, with sweetness in her tone, high notes that seem to float in the air, clear trills, and exquisite pianissimos.

Written eight years after "Faust", "Romeo et Juliette" has some thematic similarities, and as the liner notes explain, Gounod was looking for a composition to be as successful as his earlier opera for the Paris Exposition of 1867; out of the two, I still prefer "Faust", but this is a terrific opera, and Gounod received much acclaim for it in its debut at the Theatre-Lyric, even though it was getting some stiff competition at the nearby Opera, which was premiering Verdi's "Don Carlo".

One cannot imagine a finer performance then the one captured on these 2 discs; Leonard Slatkin keeps the tempos flowing, and rounding out the cast are Susan Graham, marvelous in the "trouser" or "castrato" role of Stephano (a character not part of Shakespeare's play), Sarah Walker as Gertrude, Alastair Miles as Friar Lawrence, and Paul Charles Clarke as Tybalt, among the many wonderful singers.

The insert booklet is in 4 languages (French/English/German/Italian), and along with the liner notes has bios of the stars, synopsis, and libretto.

Recorded in Munich in 1995, the sound is excellent and total playing time is: Disc 1, 76'44, and Disc 2, 79'15.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very balanced recording highlighted by a superb Swenson, September 9, 1998

By 

Deuce (washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gounod - Roméo et Juliette (Audio CD)

A very balanced recording, with a superb Swenson performance. Domingo's voice , though understandably more compelling in the past,, provides estimable support with only a few minor breaks. There is little to quibble about regarding the orchestra and conductor - the tone and pace are entireably agreeable . The most recent Plasson recording benefits from of a cleaner, French speaking chorus, and Alagna's youthful lyricism may appeal to those not inclined to the mature drama of Domingo's rendition. On blance, though, the RCA recording has a stellar soprano in fine form, balance, and represents a bargain (condensing the opera onto two disks).

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expressive sweetness, March 28, 2000

By 

LJW (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gounod - Roméo et Juliette (Audio CD)

This set has lots of terrific things going for it. Ruth Ann Swenson is a creamy voiced Juliette. She sings with expressive sweetness and is particularly touching in the final scene. Domingo is a bit dark-voiced for the role of young Romeo but he makes up for it in the sheer beauty of his phrasing and in his passionate portrayal. Susan Graham's blithe Stephano is a pure delight. The duets between the ill-fated lovers are meltingly lovely. A gorgeously sung recording of Gounod's masterpiece.