{"product_id":"saint-saens-phryne-1","title":"Saint-Saëns: Phryné","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTo mark the centenary of the death of Camille Saint-Saëns, the Palazzetto Bru Zane offers a chance to discover one of his most performed and admired operas in his lifetime, presented here in a rare version. Completed in 1893 and premiered the same year at the Opéra-Comique, the piece amusingly recounts the love affair between Nicias and Phryné, who dupes the old archon Dicephilus in order to avenge his cruelty. Its witty melodies and delightful orchestration made the opera an immediate success in Paris and then throughout France. It was enriched with recitatives composed by André Messager in 1896 to promote its career in theatres abroad.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHervé Niquet’s dashing interpretation brings out to the full the qualities of the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Rouen Normandie and the Chœur du Concert Spirituel, thus providing a sparkling backdrop for the virtuosic soprano voice of Florie Valiquette, the refined lyricism of the tenor Cyrille Dubois and the vocal authority of Thomas Dolié’s baritone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREVIEWS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUndoubtedly, Saint-Saëns’ lesser-known operas have featured heavily in Bru Zane’s CD-book series with releases of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLa princesse jaune\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLe Timbre d’argent\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eProserpine\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLes Barbares\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e and his \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCantatas of the Prix de Rome\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. Bru Zane’s interest in neglected Saint-Saëns opera continues with this new release of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePhryné\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, an hour-long \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eopéra-comique\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e in two acts. This is the world premiere recording of the André Messager version of 1896.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBru Zane has assembled a talented cast of mainly first-language French speakers. Young soprano Florie Valiquette has had success as Barberine (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLe nozze di Figaro\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e), Madeleine\/Madame de Latour (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLe Postillon de Lonjumeau\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e) and Gabrielle (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLa Vie Parisienne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e) this year. She sings the eponymous role here with fresh voice and no shortage of enthusiasm. In Phryné’s Act Two \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eair\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUn soir, j’errais sur le rivage\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e where she implores Aphrodite the goddess of love to safeguard her love for Nicias, she characterises well and is in splendid voice, light and attractive with a pleasing tenderness and purity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHervé Niquet conducts the Orchestre de l'Opéra de Rouen Normandie and the combination is a successful one. I’ve not encountered this Rouen orchestra too often; its playing has commitment, energy and, when required, a pleasing level of sensitivity. The well trained Choeur du Concert Spirituel makes a valuable contribution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis world premiere recording was satisfyingly recorded in 2021 under studio conditions in the Opéra de Rouen Normandie. A high-end product, Bru Zane’s CD-book series of bilingual editions in French and English maintains its high standards with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePhryné\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e and contains a synopsis, five helpful essays and, most importantly the full libretto.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-- \u003c\/span\u003eMusicWeb International\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bru Zane","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":49731170337048,"sku":"8055776010021","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/4346\/3192\/files\/4046052-2793658.jpg?v=1777738767","url":"https:\/\/hbdirect.com\/products\/saint-saens-phryne-1","provider":"HBDirect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}