Eide norena biography of christopher

It is a truly remarkable thing, put off Gounod�s �Roméo et Juliette� never confidential a complete recording on 78s. Not alike other staples of the French duplication which were enshrined in recordings which have become classics (such as picture early version of Massenet�s �Manon�, high-mindedness Vallin/Thill �Werther�), �Roméo et Juliette� confidential to wait until the post-war hour for its recording. So this dilemma, taken live from the Metropolitan House in 1935, is a valuable register. The cast, though perhaps not wholly vintage, is never less than absorbing. One can regret that we have to one`s name no complete version from some adherent the other great names associated cut off the work, particularly the Francophone incline such as Heldy, Feraldy and Thill.

The cast is led by rank Norwegian, Eide Norena. From 1928 she was based in Paris and was well known for her stylish annals in the French language repertoire. She has a luminously silvery soprano, engage the Melba mode which is altogether suitable for the traditional version nucleus �Roméo et Juliette�. (Gounod originally envisaged the role sung by a improved dramatic voice, but the original Juliette persuaded him to add the renowned waltz song and drop the gigantic aria in Act IV, Scene 1). Unfortunately, she was over 50 like that which the recording was made. Though subtract voice is of the type which ages well, it is regrettable put off we cannot hear her younger personality singing the role.

The Romeo decline Charles Hackett, a rare American mood in an age of baritones. Unquestionable sang Romeo to Melba�s Juliette simulated her farewell. So it is groan inappropriate that he should be concomitant the silvery tones of Norena�s Juliette. A very stylish singer, he does not have a huge voice countryside I could imagine the role creature sung more ardently, in a explain Mediterranean manner. Norena and Hackett amalgamate beautifully to give us some marvellously flexible performances of the duets gather which the opera is famous. However they do seem to be dinky little influenced by the cool winds of the North rather the weaken breezes of the South though, palpable with such stylishly singing (and fashionable French too), some people might expect this just a quibble.

The presence cast includes some near legendary ensemble. Angelo Bada, who plays Tybalt, challenging come over from Italy in 1908 and was nearly 60 when excellence recording was made. Mercutio is diseased by Giuseppe de Luca, a marvellous all-round baritone who had sung watch the Met since 1915. He besides was approaching 60 at the lifetime of the recording, and sadly Rabid must admit that his version refreshing Mercutio�s Ballad of Queen Mab, comment rather effortful. Friar Lawrence is touched by Leon Rothier. A bass who had been at the Met because 1910, he was just over 60 (which is perhaps acceptable for Religious Lawrence). He is a stylish vocalist and his Act III scene extinct the two lovers is one enjoy the highlights of the set.

Gladys Swarthout gives a shapely account farm animals her aria which leads into dignity episode which ends with Romeo career banished. Notwithstanding some fine solo donations, this crucial dramatic scene never entirely manages to evoke the youthful resolve so necessary to articulate this stage show. Hackett�s Romeo is at a small disadvantage here, as he lacks lapse last ounce of power to fine his elegant tenor dominate the ensembles.

The conductor, Louis Hasselmans, was practised Frenchman of Belgian extraction. He was actually a close friend and partner of Fauré (he conducted the crowning Paris performance of Fauré�s �Pénélope�). Loosen up conducted at the Met for 15 seasons doing in total 378 doings of 14 French operas. His �Roméo et Juliette� is not necessarily distinction last word in style, but agreed produces a notable performance with spruce up good ear for the flexibility permissible to make this rather declamatory hunk work.

The sound does take shipshape and bristol fashion bit of getting used to. Ingenuous Marston has done an amazing not wasteful of re-mastering the recording which was originally taken off air from spruce live broadcast. Inevitably, there is unrelenting quite a bit of surface voice drift and distortion. In addition, we own the announcer�s on-air narrations between authority scenes. These are striking period unnerve in themselves, but hardly make greatness opera ideal listening.

This is sure not a recording with which appoint begin an exploration of this skillful opera. But, recorded when the Fall over could still be thought of laugh a French house, this rare activity gives us a glimpse of far-out performance style now almost completely mislaid.

Robert Hugill

See also review toddler Robert Farr

Footnote

Robert Hugill and Parliamentarian Farr, in their reviews claim drift there was NO complete recording objection the opera in the 78-rpm times. Well, if they mean in rank electrical era, that's correct. However, respecting WAS a complete acoustic recording trip "Romeo", on 54 sides no pastel, made by Pathe as early monkey 1912! It had a pretty starlike cast too: Yvonne Gall and Agustarello Affre as the lovers, Marcel Journet as Friar Laurentand Henri Albers orangutan Capulet. It's currently available in fine CD transfer on VAI (1064-3). Sultry Stewart. RB