Customer Reviews

Massenet: Chérubin / von Stade, J. Anderson, Ramey, Upshaw, P. Steinberg

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This is a charming opera from Jules Massenet's old age. The composer was 60 when he wrote Cherubin but far from the music reflecting his age, it brims with youthful vitality. The opera might be called the further adventured of Cherubino of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." It is based upon a three-act play and tells the story of Cherubino, now seventeen years old and his infatuation with a dancer named L'Ensoleillad. Cherubino is, in turn, loved by Nina, a girl whom his tutor would like him to settle down with.

The cast is a dream: Frederica von Stade, Samuel Ramey, June Anderson and Dawn Upshaw. On occasion, June Anderson's voice sounds a bit strained on the high notes but otherwise, one would not want for a better operatic recording. The Munich Radio Orchestra is completely at home with this music and Pinchas Steinberg proves to be a wonderful guide to this rarely heard opera. Although this is a studio recording everyone gets into the action making it a lively experience. The recording itself is well balanced and clear.

Certainly a must have recording for anyone interested in French opera.

i know anything is possible, but with a roster of singers like this, it would have been a shock if this recording was anything but a delight. von stade is captured on this recording just before she passed into the overly-mannered singing into which she now frequently lapses. ramey is perfection, as usual. june anderson is brilliant in her fiery aria and the aubade/vive amour qui reve scene is literally dreamy. also a chance to catch a relatively early dawn upshaw performance. highly recommended.