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Massenet’s Cendrillon, a fairy tale opera sometimes flirting with operetta, was an immediate and lasting success from its premiere in Paris in 1899 at the Opera Comique before fading away in provincial theatres and then being resurrected at the end of the twentieth century. It was then shown, first in Washington, San Francisco and then, in 1984, at the New York City Opera under the direction of Julius Rudel who had already revived it and brought it back to life with the present 1978 recording. It was seen again recently in France and, in 2018, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in a crazy and charming production directed by Laurent Pelly.
With its subtle and sophisticated instrumentation, its strong lyricism and its script which is fairly faithful to Perrault’s tale, the work combines Massenet’s best qualities. Recorded in the generous and pleasant acoustics of All Saints' Church, Tooting, on the outskirts of London, this version features an excellent cast: Frederica von Stade, Jane Berbié, Jules Bastin, and, sadly, some might say, the tenor Nicolaï Gedda, not that he's bad, but simply out of place in a role that was originally given to an in disguise soprano which is what made it so attractive.
But let us not deny ourselves the pleasure of listening to a production as light as a feather, with secondary roles that are just as well held, an orchestra, the Philharmonic, that is lively and supple, and choirs of a very high standard. One of the masters of French opera is also revealed here as a first-class symphonist. © François Hudry/Qobuz
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Cendrillon (Jules Massenet)
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
DISC 2
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Performer - Christian Du Plessis, Baritone - Claude Meloni, Baritone - Elizabeth Bainbridge, Mezzo-Soprano - Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano - Henri Cain, Librettist - Jane Berbié, Mezzo-Soprano - John Noble, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Bastin, Bass (Vocal) - Jules Massenet, Composer - Julius Rudel, Conductor - Nicolai Gedda, Soprano - Paul Crook, Tenor - Paul Myers, Producer - Roy Emerson, Producer - Ruth Welting, Soprano - Teresa Cahill, Soprano - The Philharmonia Orchestra, Performer
1979 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
Massenet’s Cendrillon, a fairy tale opera sometimes flirting with operetta, was an immediate and lasting success from its premiere in Paris in 1899 at the Opera Comique before fading away in provincial theatres and then being resurrected at the end of the twentieth century. It was then shown, first in Washington, San Francisco and then, in 1984, at the New York City Opera under the direction of Julius Rudel who had already revived it and brought it back to life with the present 1978 recording. It was seen again recently in France and, in 2018, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in a crazy and charming production directed by Laurent Pelly.
With its subtle and sophisticated instrumentation, its strong lyricism and its script which is fairly faithful to Perrault’s tale, the work combines Massenet’s best qualities. Recorded in the generous and pleasant acoustics of All Saints' Church, Tooting, on the outskirts of London, this version features an excellent cast: Frederica von Stade, Jane Berbié, Jules Bastin, and, sadly, some might say, the tenor Nicolaï Gedda, not that he's bad, but simply out of place in a role that was originally given to an in disguise soprano which is what made it so attractive.
But let us not deny ourselves the pleasure of listening to a production as light as a feather, with secondary roles that are just as well held, an orchestra, the Philharmonic, that is lively and supple, and choirs of a very high standard. One of the masters of French opera is also revealed here as a first-class symphonist. © François Hudry/Qobuz
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 33 track(s)
- Total length: 02:16:04
- Main artists: Frederica von Stade
- Composer: Jules Massenet
- Label: Sony Classical
- Genre: Classical
(P) 1979 Sony Music Entertainment
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