Berlioz Bonanza!
Posted by: Todd A on 31 December 2002
When I first listened to Berlioz's opera Les Troyens earlier in the year I was mightily impressed. I figured I had to buy a set, but which one? Well, there are only three recordings of the complete opera: two by Colin Davis (1969 and 2000) and one by Dutoit. Since I have generally find Dutoit good only to put me to sleep, I opted for Davis. But which one? The live 2000 recording I had heard, or should I spring for the 1969 recording at full price? Fortunately, MDT came to the rescue and had (and has) a slim-line budget box of all three of Berlioz's operas for only about $50, shipping included. (I love not paying the VAT.) So, I got the recording of Les Troyens I thought would be good, and I also got Beatrice et Benedict and Benvenuto Cellini. The only downside is that the slim box does not have the libretti. Detailed synopses partially make up for this ommission.
How are the operas? Splendid. I already knew that I liked Les Troyens, and the 1969 version is better: it is in better sound, the orchestral playing is superior, the choral contributions better, and the singing in the key roles of Dido and Aeneas is better. A slam-dunk in favor of the older recording? Not quite. The newer version has an energy somewhat lacking in the older version, and Acts 4 and 5 seem to move along more smoothly. The solution for me is clearly to buy the LSO Live set, and that way I'll have the libretto, too.
The other two operas are also very impressive. Beatrice et Benedict, in particular is a charming work filled with wonderful choral parts, fine solo turns, intriguing sounding dialogue (I don't know what the words are), and some of the most beautiful music Berlioz wrote, especially the intensely beautiful duo ending Act 1, and the solo for Beatrice in Act 2. Methinks I shall be buying the LSO Live recording of this opera, too.
Benvenuto Cellini is the most conventional and therefore least interesting of the three operas, but it is still quite wondeful. The comedic aspects of the opera are highlighted by none-too-suubtle music, but the strenghts of the opera are, again, the fine choral writing, and the unique Berliozian orchestration. It does not seem that too many other verions of this work are out there, so I may have to live with just this one. That's fine.
After hearing all three operas, I can write that Berlioz is one of my favorite opera composers, and he deserves the attention of anyone interested in opera. Hey, the three opera set is a bargain, even without the libretti.
How are the operas? Splendid. I already knew that I liked Les Troyens, and the 1969 version is better: it is in better sound, the orchestral playing is superior, the choral contributions better, and the singing in the key roles of Dido and Aeneas is better. A slam-dunk in favor of the older recording? Not quite. The newer version has an energy somewhat lacking in the older version, and Acts 4 and 5 seem to move along more smoothly. The solution for me is clearly to buy the LSO Live set, and that way I'll have the libretto, too.
The other two operas are also very impressive. Beatrice et Benedict, in particular is a charming work filled with wonderful choral parts, fine solo turns, intriguing sounding dialogue (I don't know what the words are), and some of the most beautiful music Berlioz wrote, especially the intensely beautiful duo ending Act 1, and the solo for Beatrice in Act 2. Methinks I shall be buying the LSO Live recording of this opera, too.
Benvenuto Cellini is the most conventional and therefore least interesting of the three operas, but it is still quite wondeful. The comedic aspects of the opera are highlighted by none-too-suubtle music, but the strenghts of the opera are, again, the fine choral writing, and the unique Berliozian orchestration. It does not seem that too many other verions of this work are out there, so I may have to live with just this one. That's fine.
After hearing all three operas, I can write that Berlioz is one of my favorite opera composers, and he deserves the attention of anyone interested in opera. Hey, the three opera set is a bargain, even without the libretti.