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Bertin: Fausto / Rousset, Les talens lyriques
Bru Zane

Bertin: Fausto / Rousset, Les talens lyriques

$42.99

Details

Composer
Louise Bertin
Artist
Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset, Karine Deshayes, Karina Gauvin, Ante J
Format
CD
Label
Bru Zane
Released
Jan 26, 2024
Catalog #
BZ1054
UPC
8055776010144

About

It was around 1825 that Louise Bertin, pupil of Reicha and friend of Berlioz, tackled the subject of Faust with all the energy and confidence of a young woman of twenty. She entirely exceeded the public’s expectations and won over the critics with her daring. Colourful orchestration, charming cantabiles, vigorous choruses – everything seemed to promise the work would enter the repertory. But the closure of the Théâtre-Italien after just three performances in 1831 decided otherwise, and the score languished in the vaults of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France for 190 years. The leading role, conceived for the mezzo-soprano Rosmunda Pisaroni, was finally created by the tenor Domenico Donzelli. In this complete recording with period instruments, Christophe Rousset presents the work in its original form, which has never been heard before, even in the composer's lifetime. Once again, Les Talens Lyriques and the Palazzetto Bru Zane join forces in an adventurous French operatic rediscovery.

REVIEW:

Limelight Magazine Recording of the Month, May 2024

“Mademoiselle Louise Bertin, the daughter of the proprietor of the Journal des Débats, and sister of its chief editor, has been remarkably successful, both in literature and music. She is one of the ablest women of our time. Her musical talent, to my mind, is rather rational than emotional; but it is a real talent notwithstanding.” That’s Berlioz in his Mémoires, responding to criticisms of his boss’ daughter’s fourth and final opera La Esmeralda (based on Notre Dame de Paris; Bertin was the only composer with whom Victor Hugo ever collaborated).

As Berlioz makes clear, she had to struggle with not just the usual prejudice against a female composer but with those who wanted to knock her powerful family connections. The result: in 1836 she abandoned opera for good. It’s often been assumed that Berlioz was being paid to be kind, but with Fausto, the latest release from Palazetto Bru Zane, we have ample proof that Bertin was a force to be reckoned with.

She was just 20, when in 1825 she began working up Goethe’s masterwork into an Italian opera semiseria. Fausto, to her own libretto, was meant to premiere in 1830, but unforeseen complications meant it didn’t reach the stage until 1831. Bad notices and the closure of the Théâtre-Italien condemned it to just three performances. Intriguingly, the title role was conceived for the mezzo-soprano Rosmunda Pisaroni but ended up being sung by the tenor Domenico Donzelli. In this recording, with period instruments, Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques present the work in its original form, and it’s an absolute cracker. Despite its Italian title, Fausto is more Weber than Rossini, although there are clear bel canto elements here and there. The orchestrations are highly original for its day – snipers in 1836 accused Berlioz of having written parts of La Esmerelda – and the dramatic effects are bold, sometimes startlingly so. Listen to the percussive wallop which kicks off the lengthy overture. Or the striking Gothic excesses as Fausto seals the pact with Mefistofele. There’s no shortage of good tunes either, with Margarita in particular getting some real charmers.

Dramaturgically, there are one or two missteps – Margarita asking the elderly Fausto to heal Catarina delays the devil’s arrival, and the final trio peters out (one suspects that Bertin might have fixed that if she’d ever had the chance). Otherwise, a good stage director could do something with the opera, not to mention singers with three meaty parts on offer.

The cast here is outstanding. French mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes hurls herself fearlessly at Fausto’s challenging lines (the role is often high). The voice is bright and flexible, and she conveys the doctor’s mixture of ardent determination, despair and desperation. Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin may not sound the innocent victim, but her Margarita is beautifully sung and full of fire. The voice is luscious with first-rate diction. Croatian bass Ante Jerkunica is a sonorous Mefistofele with plenty of personality (though the role could use an aria or two). Nico Darmanin displays a bright, thrilling tenor as Margarita’s brother Valentino (his military aria, drums and horns popping, is a bel canto bombshell), and Marie Gautrot is ripe and characterful as the elderly Catarina. Best of all is Rousset who delivers a high-octane account of this remarkably original score. Not only does he bring it to life with judicious pacing and a winning flexibility, he draws out the unique textures of Bertin’s orchestrations with a sensitive ear for colour.

Les Talens Lyriques play like demons. Period strings are full of bite, while the individual timbres of wind, brass and percussion combine to create delicate and dramatic textures. Beautiful recording in vivid, in your face sound, and smartly documented, Fausto is more than just an intriguing rediscovery. It makes you long to hear La Esmerelda, by all accounts a more mature work and with a Victor Hugo libretto no less.

-- Limelight (Clive Paget)

Tracklist 36 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Ouverture 09:34
    Track
    1
    Title
    Ouverture
    Duration
    09:34
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  3. 2 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 1: Introduction: Tutte volsi e rivolsi (Fausto) 02:07
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 1: Introduction: Tutte volsi e rivolsi (Fausto)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  4. 3 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 1: Aria: Il vago sol del mondo (Fausto) 02:20
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 1: Aria: Il vago sol del mondo (Fausto)
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  5. 4 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 1: Qual m'assorda rumor? (Fausto, Chorus) 03:54
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 1: Qual m'assorda rumor? (Fausto, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:54
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  6. 5 Act I, "Temptation", Scenes 2-3: Recitative: Chi fia quest'importuno? (Fausto, Wagner) 00:50
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scenes 2-3: Recitative: Chi fia quest'importuno? (Fausto, Wagner)
    Duration
    00:50
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Thibault De Damas
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  7. 6 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 3: Trio: Vezzosa giovinetta (Fausto, Wagner, Margarita) 07:16
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 3: Trio: Vezzosa giovinetta (Fausto, Wagner, Margarita)
    Duration
    07:16
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Thibault De Damas, Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  8. 7 Act I, "Temptation", Scenes 3-6: Recitative: Debbo venir anch’io? (Fausto, Wagner) 01:56
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scenes 3-6: Recitative: Debbo venir anch’io? (Fausto, Wagner)
    Duration
    01:56
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Thibault De Damas
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  9. 8 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 7: Duet: Sorgi al mio cenno, o Satana (Fausto, Mefistofele) 08:30
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 7: Duet: Sorgi al mio cenno, o Satana (Fausto, Mefistofele)
    Duration
    08:30
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  10. 9 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 8: Finale: Zitto, zitto, state attenti (Fausto, Mefistofele, Chorus) 03:28
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 8: Finale: Zitto, zitto, state attenti (Fausto, Mefistofele, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:28
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  11. 10 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 8: Dite, amici, ove n'andò la vecchia? (Fausto, Mefistofele, Chorus) 04:46
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 8: Dite, amici, ove n'andò la vecchia? (Fausto, Mefistofele, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:46
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  12. 11 Act I, "Temptation", Scene 8: Qual sovramana possa (Fausto, Mefistofele, una Strega, Chorus) 05:08
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act I, "Temptation", Scene 8: Qual sovramana possa (Fausto, Mefistofele, una Strega, Chorus)
    Duration
    05:08
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica, Diana Axentii
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  13. 12 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 1: Fuggite amor (Margarita, Marta, Catarina, Chorus) 04:15
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 1: Fuggite amor (Margarita, Marta, Catarina, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:15
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin, Diana Axentii, Marie Gautrot
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  14. 13 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 2: Recitative: Ecco, tornata è in casa (Fausto, Mefistofele) 00:45
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 2: Recitative: Ecco, tornata è in casa (Fausto, Mefistofele)
    Duration
    00:45
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  15. 14 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 3: Duet: Signora amabile (Fausto, Margarita) 04:21
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 3: Duet: Signora amabile (Fausto, Margarita)
    Duration
    04:21
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  16. 15 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 4: Chi sarà mai quel vago (Margarita) 02:05
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 4: Chi sarà mai quel vago (Margarita)
    Duration
    02:05
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  17. 16 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 4: Cavatina: Palpita nel seno gelido il cor (Margarita) 02:35
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 4: Cavatina: Palpita nel seno gelido il cor (Margarita)
    Duration
    02:35
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  18. 17 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 5: Recitative: Quanto tempo, mia cara (Margarita, Catarina) 00:31
    Track
    17
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 5: Recitative: Quanto tempo, mia cara (Margarita, Catarina)
    Duration
    00:31
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin, Marie Gautrot
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  19. 18 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 6: Duet: Vi saluto, madama (Mefistofele, Catarina) 04:08
    Track
    18
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 6: Duet: Vi saluto, madama (Mefistofele, Catarina)
    Duration
    04:08
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Ante Jerkunica, Marie Gautrot
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  20. 19 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 7: Recitative: Chi avrebbe mai creduto (Mefistofele) 00:21
    Track
    19
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 7: Recitative: Chi avrebbe mai creduto (Mefistofele)
    Duration
    00:21
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  21. 20 Act II, "Happiness", Scene 7: Finale: Fra quell'ombra (Margarita, Catarina, Fausto, Mefistofele) 06:28
    Track
    20
    Title
    Act II, "Happiness", Scene 7: Finale: Fra quell'ombra (Margarita, Catarina, Fausto, Mefistofele)
    Duration
    06:28
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin, Marie Gautrot, Karine Deshayes
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  22. Disc 2
  23. 1 Act III, "Crime", Scene 1: Preghiera: Abbassa, ohimè, Madre beata e santa (Margarita, 6 Donne, Chorus) 04:09
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act III, "Crime", Scene 1: Preghiera: Abbassa, ohimè, Madre beata e santa (Margarita, 6 Donne, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:09
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  24. 2 Act III, "Crime", Scene 1: Vergogna! (Margarita, Chorus) 05:03
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act III, "Crime", Scene 1: Vergogna! (Margarita, Chorus)
    Duration
    05:03
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  25. 3 Act III, "Crime", Scene 2: Aria: Ah, mi batte il cor nel petto (Valentino) 04:11
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act III, "Crime", Scene 2: Aria: Ah, mi batte il cor nel petto (Valentino)
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Nico Darmanin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  26. 4 Act III, "Crime", Scene 3: Recitative: Ecco il german! Conviene (Mefistofele, Valentino) 02:04
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act III, "Crime", Scene 3: Recitative: Ecco il german! Conviene (Mefistofele, Valentino)
    Duration
    02:04
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Ante Jerkunica, Nico Darmanin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  27. 5 Act III, "Crime", Scene 4: Finale: Che intesi! O cruda sorte! Il patrio tetto (Valentino, Fausto, Mefistofele) 04:41
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act III, "Crime", Scene 4: Finale: Che intesi! O cruda sorte! Il patrio tetto (Valentino, Fausto, Mefistofele)
    Duration
    04:41
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Nico Darmanin, Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  28. 6 Act III, "Crime", Scene 4: O trionfo! (Valentino, Fausto, Mefistofele) 02:28
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act III, "Crime", Scene 4: O trionfo! (Valentino, Fausto, Mefistofele)
    Duration
    02:28
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Nico Darmanin, Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  29. 7 Act III, "Crime", Scene 5: Stretta: Che sussurro! Che spavento! (Margarita, Marta, Valentino, Chorus) 06:16
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act III, "Crime", Scene 5: Stretta: Che sussurro! Che spavento! (Margarita, Marta, Valentino, Chorus)
    Duration
    06:16
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karina Gauvin, Diana Axentii, Nico Darmanin
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  30. 8 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 1: Recitative: Ebben, che c'è di nuovo? (Fausto, Mefistofele) 01:32
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 1: Recitative: Ebben, che c'è di nuovo? (Fausto, Mefistofele)
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  31. 9 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 2: Aria: O fier tormento rio! (Fausto) 02:24
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 2: Aria: O fier tormento rio! (Fausto)
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  32. 10 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 2: Cantabile: Deh guarda, o ciel clemente (Fausto, un Banditore) 03:23
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 2: Cantabile: Deh guarda, o ciel clemente (Fausto, un Banditore)
    Duration
    03:23
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Thibault De Damas
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  33. 11 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 2: Stretta: A morte vergognosa! (Fausto) 01:56
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 2: Stretta: A morte vergognosa! (Fausto)
    Duration
    01:56
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  34. 12 Act IV, "Punishment", Scenes 2-3: Recitative: Risolvete, dottor! (Mefistofele, Fausto) 00:13
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scenes 2-3: Recitative: Risolvete, dottor! (Mefistofele, Fausto)
    Duration
    00:13
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Ante Jerkunica, Karine Deshayes
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  35. 13 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Finale: Margarita! Margarita! (Fausto, Margarita) 02:55
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Finale: Margarita! Margarita! (Fausto, Margarita)
    Duration
    02:55
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  36. 14 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Finale: A questi dolci accenti (Fausto, Margarita) 02:27
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Finale: A questi dolci accenti (Fausto, Margarita)
    Duration
    02:27
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Karina Gauvin
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  37. 15 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Cantabile: Meco è già la morte (Fausto, Margarita, Mefistofele) 02:29
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Cantabile: Meco è già la morte (Fausto, Margarita, Mefistofele)
    Duration
    02:29
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Karina Gauvin, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset
  38. 16 Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Stretta: Ah, qual voce d'ìntorno rimbomba? (Fausto, Margarita, Mefistofele, Chorus) 04:09
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act IV, "Punishment", Scene 3: Stretta: Ah, qual voce d'ìntorno rimbomba? (Fausto, Margarita, Mefistofele, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:09
    Composer
    Louise Bertin
    Performer
    Karine Deshayes, Karina Gauvin, Ante Jerkunica
    Ensemble
    Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques
    Conductor
    Christophe Rousset