Jean-Philippe Rameau's op�ra-ballet Les F�tes d'H�b� gains a stirring and bright-coloured new recording from a starry line-up of soloists, Gy�rgy Vashegyi, his Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra.Though first performed at the end of the 1730s � between the two trag�dies of Castor et Pollux and Dardanus � this work has received much less modern recognition for its qualities than either of the other two, although it had a substantial success with its first run of over 70 performances; an entertainment mixing delight and longing, underpinned by Rameau's colourful and sophisticated orchestration and coupled with his supremely inspired pastoral writing.
Now, with a new edition prepared by Pascal Den�cheau (who also writes the booklet essay here), this new production presents modern-day stars of the French Baroque in Chantal Santon Jeffery, Olivia Doray, Judith van Wanroij, Reinoud Van Mechelen, Mathias Vidal and David Witczak.
They all relish in a libretto (peopled by characters from mythology and the Ancient World) which aims at celebrating the artistic aptitudes to be found on the stage of the Op�ra in Paris:
Poetry, Music and Dance (from which derives the opera's subtitle of Les Talents lyriques).
This new recording presents the June 1739 version of this op�ra ballet (whilst embracing changes made in revivals from across subsequent decades), and additionally includes the original version of the second entr�e, La Musique.
Critial Acclaim
Gyorgy Vashegyi, his Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra, with an accomplished group of soloists enliven this musically rewarding score with imagination and rhythmic vitality. - BBC Music Magazine
the tender Purcell Choir and responsive Orfeo Orchestra combine lyrical talents charmingly. ... Vashegyi and his orchestra cultivate translucent finesse that is in its own way irresitible. - Gramaphone Magazine
The recording made by the Orfeo Orchestra conducted by Gy�rgy Vashegyi certainly captures the splendor and drama of Rameau's music. [�] It operates with a distinct, quite massive sound for the Baroque, making Rameau's music sound dramatic even by the standards of a modern listener brought up on the music of the 19th century. - prestoportal.pl
