Yes, they are performed in France, thanks to Christie, Malgoire, Minkowski, Niquet, Reyne, Rousset... Herreweghe was also based in France, and Kuijken in Belgium. I don't go and see operas too often, though. But I plan to hear Lully's motets by Niquet on July 29 in Lessay.
Les Arts Florissants (Christie's ensemble) are sponsored by my region, the western half of Normandy, by the way. They reside in Caen (40 miles away from my hometown) since ten years (they were founded in 1979). Christie is God, here.
No Händel yet. :) Gluck and Händel are the next territories I'll explore. After the masters of the 17th century (Monteverdi, Cavalli, Lully, Charpentier, Purcell) and a lot of Rameau, I need to get more operas from the 18th century.
Of course, there are many other omissions, like bel canto (Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti) that I don't like much, the Russians, Janacek, etc... It's the list of the operas I have, not those I've listened to. :) Some of my favourite operas are not in the list, like Boris Godunov and Bluebeard's Castle. Hopefully, in a few years, my collection will look more complete. :)
I've always been impressed by Christie's work and Minkowski has conducted here in Toronto.
I saw a fabulous production of Handel's Cleopatra a couple of years ago with the ravishing Isobel Bayrakdarian as Cleo. Best night at the opera I've ever had.
If you are interested in mp3 rips I have a fair bit of Gluck and Handel around. I'll have to check and see exactly what.
Christie became the king of the French early baroque opera with the production and the recording of Lully's Atys in 1987. It was a sensation. I was 20 at the time and you can imagine the impression it made on me. Since then, I've discovered his gorgeous recordings of Charpentier's numerous masterworks, made even years before 1987. Sometimes, though, I don't give him four stars: for example, I prefer Niquet's Pygmalion to Christie's. But he's one of the masters who only make good music, like Jacobs.
Isabel Bayrakdarian? I believe I remember reading something in your journal about her, months ago, and you said very good things about her. Did you see her again more recently?
Les Arts Florissants (Christie's ensemble) are sponsored by my region, the western half of Normandy, by the way. They reside in Caen (40 miles away from my hometown) since ten years (they were founded in 1979). Christie is God, here.
No Händel yet. :) Gluck and Händel are the next territories I'll explore. After the masters of the 17th century (Monteverdi, Cavalli, Lully, Charpentier, Purcell) and a lot of Rameau, I need to get more operas from the 18th century.
Of course, there are many other omissions, like bel canto (Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti) that I don't like much, the Russians, Janacek, etc... It's the list of the operas I have, not those I've listened to. :) Some of my favourite operas are not in the list, like Boris Godunov and Bluebeard's Castle. Hopefully, in a few years, my collection will look more complete. :)
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I saw a fabulous production of Handel's Cleopatra a couple of years ago with the ravishing Isobel Bayrakdarian as Cleo. Best night at the opera I've ever had.
If you are interested in mp3 rips I have a fair bit of Gluck and Handel around. I'll have to check and see exactly what.
Reply
Isabel Bayrakdarian? I believe I remember reading something in your journal about her, months ago, and you said very good things about her. Did you see her again more recently?
Reply
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