|
Music Lane It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes. |
|
|
|
Music Lane It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes. |
|
Checking spines this morning I stopped at Cendrillon because of the recent passing of Gedda and that probably a decade after acquisition I had yet to hear this.
First of all, this 1979 CBS Masterworks supplants the Mehta Turandot as the benchmark of Opera recordings. Clarity of voices both solo and choral is unsurpassed. The balance between orchestra and singers is perfect. Soundstage and movement of the cast, likewise. Just a wonderful listening experience.
Nothing needs to be said about Frederica Von Stade and Nicolai Gedda. It would be interesting, though, to hear a Soprano Falcon sing Charming as long as she possesses an appropriate (according to Massenet) "physique du costume". Sorry, Montserrat!
The score could be enjoyed without the voices and I see from some Wiki-ing he was known as a "symphonist". Nothing wrong with an opera having great music. Was Verdi a lesser orchestrator?
Now why, in the year 1899, would the part of the Prince be cast as a woman? All I can find is that it was done "en travesti, foreshadowing Sophie-Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier" but nothing about the fashion or convention that motivated it. What do you experts say?
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Topic - Massenet's Cendrillon for my Sunday morning listening: Why was Prince Charming a woman? - kitch29 11:06:45 02/26/17 (2)
- RE: Massenet's Cendrillon for my Sunday morning listening: Why was Prince Charming a woman? - PAR 04:31:49 02/27/17 (0)
- RE: Massenet's Cendrillon for my Sunday morning listening: Why was Prince Charming a woman? - Travis 18:06:03 02/26/17 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
