Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse is among France's most visible orchestral ensembles internationally and was named one of France's three best orchestras by the Paris newspaper Le Figaro. Originally established as the opera orchestra of the Théâtre du Capitole, the group continues to fulfill that function.
The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse dates back to the early 19th century when it was organized to accompany operas and theatrical presentations at the Théâtre du Capitole (the "Capitole" is the Toulouse city hall). Even before World War II, the orchestra had top-notch conductors: André Cluytens held the baton beginning in 1932, and longtime Lyric Opera of Chicago conductor Georges Prêtre led the group from 1951 to 1955. The orchestra remained mostly associated with opera, however, until the appointment of Michel Plasson as music director in 1968. Plasson changed the orchestra in many ways, introducing symphonic concerts (the group moved in 1974 into the Halle aux Grains in Toulouse, a former wheat market and boxing arena, for these), raising musical standards, and instituting a touring program that rapidly gained international attention. Plasson generally programmed French music, including many little-known works, but he also led the orchestra in complete cycles of Beethoven's symphonies and piano concertos. In 1980, the orchestra joined France's roster of "national" ensembles, and that term was added to its name. The orchestra during this period also, exceptionally among French ensembles, attracted substantial corporate support from a consortium using the acronym "AÏDA"; this included the aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Top-flight opera singers, including Teresa Berganza, José Carreras, and Jessye Norman, graced the Capitole stage during Plasson's tenure, and the career of star soprano Natalie Dessay began when she sang in the orchestra's associated choir.
Plasson stepped down in 2003 amid disputes with the city of Toulouse, and in 2005, he was replaced by Tugan Sokhiev, who became principal guest conductor at first, and music director and principal conductor in 2008. Sokhiev broadened the orchestra's repertory and carried forward its broadcast activities and enthusiastic children's programming. The orchestra became a common presence at French summer festivals. Sokhiev also continued the orchestra's vigorous recording program, which began under Plasson; the orchestra recorded for EMI and moved to the Naïve label for a recording of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64, in 2011. In 2020, the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse released a recording of the Shostakovich Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65, on the Warner Classics label.
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Discography
21 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Gounod: Faust
Cheryl Studer, Richard leech, José Van Dam, Thomas Hampson, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Opera - Released by Warner Classics on 28 feb. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Offenbach: La vie parisienne
Mady Mesplé, Régine Crespin, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 2 okt. 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Alberic Magnard : Guercœur
Hildegard Behrens, José Van Dam, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 4 jun. 2012
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Delibes: Lakmé
Natalie Dessay, Gregory Kunde, José Van Dam, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Opera - Released by Warner Classics on 20 okt. 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Duruflé: Requiem, Messe cum jubilo
Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 15 nov. 1999
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Satie: Gymnopédies 1&3; Gnossienne No.3 etc.
Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 15 jul. 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de perles
Barbara Hendricks, John Aller, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 okt. 1989
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette
Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Opera - Released by Warner Classics on 7 apr. 1998
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette
Alfredo Kraus, Catherine Malfitano, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 1984
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Massenet: Don Quichotte
Teresa Berganza, José Van Dam, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Faure: Requiem & Orchestral Music
Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 23 jun. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jessye Norman - Michel Plasson
Jessye Norman, John Aler, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 1985
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mady Mesple - Michel Plasson
Mady Mesplé, Jane Berbié, Michel Sénéchal, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Opera - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franck: Rédemption & Le chasseur maudit
Lambert Wilson, Béatrice Uria-Monzon, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 23 sep. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Sourcerer's Apprentice: French Symphonic Poems
Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Debussy: 3 Nocturnes/Printemps/La Mer
Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 15 jul. 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Le Carnaval romain, Le Corsaire
Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 12 dec. 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rachmaninov: Les quatre concertos pour piano
Jean-Philippe Collard, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Parlophone (France) on 28 feb. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 "Organ Symphony" & Cyprès et lauriers
Matthias Eisenberg, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21 & Concerto pour violon, Op. 20
Augustin Dumay, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 3 mrt. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Carlos Gardel: 15 Tangos, Garello
Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, Julio Oscar Pane, Raul Garello, José Alberto Giaimo
Klassiek - Released by Warner Classics on 1 jan. 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo