Karina Gauvin; Anna-Sophi Neher; Various - Jules Massenet: Complete Melodies for Voice & Piano

ATMA Classique and Festival Classica are very pleased to present the largest lyric cycle ever undertaken in Canada: a 13-CD set of the complete m�lodies by the prolific French composer Jules Massenet (1842-1912).13CD BOX ~ 333 SONGS ~ 13 UNPUBLISHED SONGS ~ 31 PREMIERE RECORDINGS

This box set also represents one of the most ambitious projects devoted to French melody in the history of modern recording.

Under the artistic direction of baritone Marc Boucher, who is also featured as a singer, the project brings together some of Quebec's most beautiful voices: Karina Gauvin, Anna-Sophie Neher, Magali Simard-Gald�s, Julie Boulianne, Florence Bourget, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Mich�le Losier, Fr�d�ric Antoun, Antoine B�langer, Antonio Figueroa, Jo� Lampron-Dandonneau, �ric Laporte, Hugo Laporte, Emmanuel Hasler accompanied by Olivier Godin on a historical �rard piano (1854).

In the hands of Olivier Godin, the piano part is pivotal and ever-present throughout this monumental undertaking. Other instrumentalists include cellist St�phane T�treault, violinist Antoine Bareil, guitarist David Jacques and harpist Val�rie Milot. ATMA Classique founder Johanne Goyette assumes the role of recording producer.

Massenet's music will be performed on an 1854 �rard concert grand piano tuned to 435 Hz, the standard pitch decreed by an 1859 law in Paris. The aesthetics, mechanics, and sound of this exceptional instrument adds great distinction to the project.