Opium: Mélodies francaises [Enhanced]

Philippe Jaroussky (Performer), Jérôme Ducros (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Philippe Jaroussky, Jérôme Ducros
• Audio CD (April 7, 2009)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Virgin Classics
• ASIN: B001PKVFEO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,061 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #41 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Chansons

Editorial Reviews

Acclaimed countertenor Philippe Jaroussky makes the leap from the Baroque to the Belle Époque for this program of French songs. In his company are four of the leading French instrumentalists of the younger generation: Jérôme Ducros, Renaud Capuçon, Gautier Capuçon,and Emmanuel Pahud!

With over 200,000 sales worldwide, Jaroussky is an international star, and the ethereal, sensuous beauty of his voice lends itself perfectly to the voluptuous, decadent music in these songs -- including a number of rarities by composers such as Dukas, Caplet, and Chaminade, as well as betterknown numbers by figures like Fauré, Chausson, and Hahn.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem!, May 15, 2009

By 

Gianni Zeno (Desert Hot Springs, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Opium: Mélodies francaises (Audio CD)

Even if you're not a fan of the French Melodies I can't recommend this CD highly enough. Jassousky has a beautiful countertenor voice and is one of the most musical singers I've heard in a long time. Add to that his sensitivity to the text and the poetry of these songs and you have something special. Definitely one of my desert island disks.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent, August 23, 2009

By 

Dino Starcevic Rivera (San José, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opium: Mélodies francaises (Audio CD)

Also, I recognize to be a fan of Philippe Jaroussky. This CD will be on my 2009 best recordings list. One word: perfect. The voice of Jaroussky is at his best, and the execution is magnificent. Also, add the rarity of the french melodies registered.

A plus: the performances of Jerome Ducros (piano), Emmanuel Pahud (flute) and the Capucon brothers (violin and cello). They complete this true jewel.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Jaroussky's Finest Recordings, March 19, 2011

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Opium: Mélodies francaises (Audio CD)

Philippe Jaroussky continues to please and at the same time startle with his intelligent and daring selections for recording. This is an outing with French chansons that span a large period of time. One might ask why a countertenor would elect to enter this genre of music - but the answer is quite evident after listening to even the first few tracks of this beautifully modulated performance. The music is by Hahn, Fauré, Dukas, Chaminade, Chausson and Caplet - and many of the songs have never been recorded until now. They do appear on the recital programs of our finest recitalists, but few singers can transmit that special otherworldly sound to these voluptuous lyrics in the manner that seems so natural to Jaroussky.

An additional aspect of this recording that makes it even more important for the collector is the group of musicians Jaroussky invites to collaborate with him. Some of the finest young talent in the French repertoire, names such as Jérôme Ducros, Renaud Capuçon, Gautier Capuçon,and Emmanuel Pahud. The concert is unerringly right and seductive and beautiful. One wonders what Philippe Jaroussky will offer next...Grady Harp, March 11