Tragédiennes (Vol. 3)

Véronique Gens - Les Talens Lyriques - Christophe Rousset

Released on 10/3/11 by Warner Classics
Main artists: Véronique Gens/Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset
Genre: Classical

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In a word, the talent of Véronique Gens is stellar. The French soprano (who arguably sounds like a mezzo-soprano on this album) belongs in the category of the great singers from the golden age of opera in the 1960s. The repertoire on this album might be new to some listeners, as it features some works that are seldom heard: this is another strength of Gens, to introduce opera lovers to a greater body of work. She has rock-solid technique, repertoire that is well suited to her voice, clear diction, and excellent emotional depth that she engagingly conveys. Whether it is "Quelle fureur barbare" with its singspiel and three different moods; the subdued, brief, and reverential "Ah, mon fils"; or the magnificence and power-singing of "Prête à te fuir… Le soir pensive," it seems there is nothing the soprano cannot do. Her "Ah, ces perfidies grecs … Dieux, à qui recourir" shows a clean, cool voice with the sound of a mezzo-soprano as she delivers excellent recitative and puts a dynamic swell in the phrase where necessary. The listener really empathizes with her sense of urgency; it recalls Cherubino in "Non so più." Certainly, it does not hurt that she has an equally gifted orchestra accompanying her, conducted by Christophe Rousset. Les Talens Lyriques is a wonderfully dramatic orchestra that masters every dynamic contrast, feeling, and, presumably, every score marking with ease and non-stop energy. Apparently Gens respects her orchestra so much that it is given its own work on the album, a long yet fabulous overture by Salieri (which, admittedly, does have echoes of Mozart). One can hear Gens' low, chesty voice, where she still maintains her excellent technique in "Non, cet affreux devoir... Je t'implore," though it reveals a weakness of the artist: the occasional thinning of high notes. Gens creates her passion through her emphasis of the right words (such as in "Ah, faut-il me venger… Ma rivale triomphe") and through her connecting with the text as in "Prête à te fuir," where she is clearly telling a story. This piece in particular is exciting, for it is not like lighter Baroque opera, but rather a full orchestra that requires a full voice. There are moments of pure, throbbing feeling, for when she sings Berlioz's "Ah, je vais mourir," one truly feels her anguish, and that she will die.

© TiVo

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Tragédiennes (Vol. 3)

Véronique Gens/Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset

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Véronique Gens