Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632 - 1687)

Persée

Opera in 1 prologue and 5 acts
Libretto by Quinault inspired by Ovid's Metamorphosis
Distribution
Direction et clavecin
Christophe Rousset
Persée
Paul Agnew (haute-contre)
Andromède et une nymphe guerrière
Anna Maria Panzarella (soprano)
Mérope et la Fortune
Salomé Haller (soprano)
Phinée, un éthiopien
Jérôme Correas (basse)
Céphée, un éthiopien, un cyclope et Idas
Vincent Billier (basse baryton)
Cassiope et Imène
Monique Simon (mezzo-soprano)
Mercure et Mégathyme
Robert Getchell (haute-contre)
La Vertu, Vénus, Amour
Béatrice Mayo Felip (soprano)
Méduse, Phronime, Le grand prêtre, un éthiopien
Laurent Slaars (taille)
Euyale, Corite, un éthiopien
Cyril Auvity (haute-contre)
Sténone, un triton
Bruno Rostand (basse)
Maîtrise du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles "les Chantres de la Chapelle"
Les Talens Lyriques
Persée Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632 - 1687)

“Christophe Rousset has taken great pains in this recording with the transition from one section to the next by the use of contrast, energy, surprise and sometimes even phrasing and ornamentation. He has taken much care over every aspect, from the most important to the least, and incorporated the resulting subtle blend to his overall interpretation. The same may be said of his treatment of the various orchestral details, ranging from the prelude that uses the continuo by itself to the magnificent sound of choir and orchestra combined; he has also lavished much care on the contrapuntal aspect of the work. From this veritable jeweller’s craftsmanship springs that impetus which is a fundamental principle of baroque art.”

Jean Duron, CMBV
Translation by Geoffrey Marshall

© Naïve Auvidis

Listen to
an excerpt

Les Talens Lyriques wishes to thank the Fondation France Telecom and Opera Atelier, Toronto (Canada) for providing their arrangements as source materials for this production.

3 CDs Auvidis / E 8874
Recorded and released in 2001