La Caravane du Caire (1783) was one of A.E.M. Grétry’s most famous operas, its popularity continuing into the 19th c. After the recording made under the Marc Minkowski’s direction in 1991, Guy Van Waas’ new recording enables discovery of a few variants in relation to the previous version, and includes a musicological presentation by Alexandre and Benoît Dratwicki. The work itself is peppered with comical situations, tender or bravura arias (including an Italian-style coloratura pastiche) and embellished with numerous ballets, some of which contribute an original note of exoticism.
