Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 02:28:36 minutes | 2,39 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alpha Classics

The Covid pandemic caused the cancellation of the performances of Pell’eas et M’elisande at the Op’era National de Bordeaux, which approached Alpha in order to make an audio recording of this masterpiece. So here is that unexpected but highly anticipated new version, with an exceptional cast and a young conductor, Pierre Dumoussaud, whose calling card it is fast becoming, since he has already conducted it in many houses. ‘His conducting calls for nothing but praise, striking a fine balance between analytical clarity and theatrical life, while at the same time bringing out the extraordinary modernity of this intoxicating music’, wrote Christian Merlin in Le Figaro of one of his staged performances. The ‘disarming sincerity’ of Pell’eas (Stanislas de Barbeyrac), the ‘constant emotion’ of M’elisande (Chiara Skerath), the ‘bitingly intense singing’ of Golaud (Alexandre Duhamel) – these are some of the comments elicited by the 2018 performances in the staging of Philippe B’eziat and Florent Siaud, the intended revival of which this year was prevented by the health emergency. The album cover features a photo from that memorable production.

“There happen perhaps no useless events”, sings the old Arkel in the first Act of Pell’eas et M’elisande. Here, it is rather the useful non-event that, paradoxically, has opened the way for this new recording of Debussy’s opera, which has known little discographic success. Forced to cancel its run because of the global pandemic, the Bordeaux Opera decided to hold onto the recordings which had been made of the long rehearsal sessions in its Auditorium.

Of course, some very good versions of Pell’eas et M’elisande have been made since Roger D’esormi`ere set down his legendary recording during the Occupation in 1941. These include Inghelbrecht (2 concert versions), Ansermet (2 studio versions), Boulez, Karajan, Armin Jordan and Abbado. As in 1941, this new interpretation brings together young singers in perfect harmony with the story told by Maeterlinck, but it is above all the orchestral poetry that we hear here thanks to the refined, supple and diaphanous conducting by Pierre Dumoussaud, the young conductor who used to work as an assistant in the Grand Th’e^atre de Bordeaux. It is he who lends all his mystery, anxiety and modernity to the score.

Stanislas de Barbeyrac is a frivolous and carefree Pell’eas. Chiara Skerath’s M’elisande is more mannered than falsely innocent. Alexandre Duhamel plays a quiet young Golaud who is capable of chilling outbursts. Like its older sister from the war years, which reflected the style of its day, this new version is an exciting snapshot of singing in early 21st century France. (c) Francois Hudry/Qobuz

Details of original recording : Recorded in November 2020 at Auditorium de l’Op’era de Bordeaux (France)

Tracklist:

01. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 1: No. 1, “Je ne pourrai plus sortir de cette forêt” (03:52)
02. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 1: No. 2, “Pourquoi pleures-tu ?” (06:32)
03. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 1: No. 3, “Je suis perdu aussi” (01:33)
04. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 2: No. 1, “Voici ce qu’il écrit à son frère” (02:56)
05. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 2: No. 2, “Qu’en dites-vous ?” (05:24)
06. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 2: No. 3, Interlude (00:44)
07. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 3: No. 1, “Il fait sombre dans les jardins” (02:40)
08. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act I Scene 3: No. 2, “Hoé ! Hisse Hoé !” (04:04)
09. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act II Scene 1: No. 1, “Vous ne savez pas où je vous ai menée ?” (03:37)
10. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act II Scene 1: No. 2, “C’est au bord d’une fontaine” (02:58)
11. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act II Scene 1: No. 3, Interlude (00:44)
12. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act II Scene 2: No. 1, “Ah ! Ah ! Tu vas bien” (08:40)
13. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act II Scene 2: No. 2, “Voyons, donne-moi ta main” (02:58)
14. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act II Scene 2: No. 3, Interlude (01:33)
15. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act II Scene 3: No. 1, “Oui, c’est ici, nous y sommes” (05:11)
16. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 1: No. 1, “Mes longs cheveux descendent jusqu’au seuil de la tour” (06:10)
17. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 1: No. 2, “Je les tiens dans les mains” (05:03)
18. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 1: No. 3, “Que faites-vous ici ?” (03:22)
19. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 2: No. 1, “Prenez garde ; par ici, par ici” (03:18)
20. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 3: No. 1, Interlude / “Ah ! Je respire enfin !” (04:29)
21. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 3: No. 2, Interlude (01:07)
22. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 4: No. 1, “Viens, nous allons nous asseoir ici” (05:42)
23. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act III Scene 4: No. 2, “Qu’ils s’embrassent, petit père ?” (04:59)
24. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 1: No. 1, “Où vas-tu ?” (02:51)
25. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 2: No. 1, “Maintenant que le père de Pelléas est sauvé” (05:50)
26. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 2: No. 2, “Pelléas part ce soir” (03:18)
27. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 2: No. 3, “Ne mettez pas ainsi votre main à la gorge” (03:37)
28. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 2: No. 4, Interlude (01:14)
29. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 3: No. 1, “Oh ! Cette pierre est lourde” (03:52)
30. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 4: No. 1, “C’est le dernier soir” (03:51)
31. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 4: No. 2, “Nous sommes venus ici il y a bien longtemps” (02:10)
32. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 4: No. 3, “On dirait que ta voix a passé sur la mer au printemps” (04:07)
33. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act IV Scene 4: No. 4, “Quel est ce bruit ?” (04:22)
34. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act V Scene 1: No. 1, “Ce n’est pas de cette petite blessure qu’elle peut mourir” (03:09)
35. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act V Scene 1: No. 2, “Attention ; je crois qu’elle s’éveille” (05:51)
36. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act V Scene 1: No. 3, “Mélisande, as-tu pitié de moi comme j’ai pitié de toi ?” (03:01)
37. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act V Scene 1: No. 4, “Non, non, nous n’avons pas été coupables” (02:16)
38. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act V Scene 1: No. 5, “Qu’avez-vous fait ?” (02:46)
39. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act V Scene 1: No. 6, “Qu’y a-t-il ?” (02:16)
40. Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine & Pierre Dumoussaud – Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande, Act V Scene 1: No. 7, “Attention … attention. Il faut parler à voix basse, maintenant” (06:09)

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