Starter Packs

Complete your collection with these curated titles, grouped at a special discount.

Shop Now
Naxos

Sacchini: Oedipe À Colone / Brown, Loup, Opera Lafayette

$29.99

Details

Composer
SACCHINI
Artist
Brown, Opera Lafayette, Soloists
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Sep 26, 2006
Catalog #
8660196-97
UPC
730099619622

About

Antonio Sacchini is one of those highly talented musicians who hover at the periphery of music history but were greatly successful in their lifetime. In the case of Sacchini an echo of his fame can be heard through the present work which has some claims to be his masterpiece. It was performed regularly at the Paris Opéra between 1787 and 1830, which is remarkable indeed and then was revived in 1843.

He was born in Florence but was taken to Naples at the age of four where he was admitted to the Conservatorio when he was ten. His teacher was Francesco Durante, who is probably more well-known today. He obviously moved about within Italy and gained recognition both as opera composer and singing teacher. One of his pupils was Nancy Storace, who among other things was Mozart’s first Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro - “The Julie Andrews of the 18th Century” as one source nicely puts it.

He then went to Stuttgart and Munich and came to London in 1772 where he remained for ten years. At first successful, he later ran into financial trouble and moved to Paris in 1781. There he became a favourite with the Queen but met opposition from parts of the musical establishment. His opera Dardanus was staged at Fontainebleau in 1785 but to his grief Œdipe lay unperformed during his lifetime. The disappointment is said to have contributed to his death. In 1787 Œdipe reached the Opéra; too late for the composer.

Listening to this recording it is easy to understand the longevity of the work. It is a highly accomplished piece of music drama, pointing forward beyond Gluck, who is the closest contemporary comparison. In fact there is a Gluckian nobility in the more reflective moments. Sacchini also has a dramatic integrity and power in the long and often intense accompanied recitatives. At his best, as in the long scene with Œdipe and Antigone in act two (CD1 tr. 14-16), he tends to overshadow even Mozart for dramatic acuity, though he can’t compete with the Salzburg master when it comes to musical invention and melodic memorability. Still he writes expressive and grateful music, as for example the singing part for Polynice in the first scene (CD1 tr. 3) and at the beginning of scene 4 (CD1 tr. 10). Antigone’s aria in act three (CD2 tr. 2), is heroic and tragic to match the text. This is a fairly long aria; mostly they are very short but his flexible style allows him to move more or less imperceptibly from recitative to aria with the orchestra a very active part, not just accompanying. In this respect he might almost be likened to late period Verdi. The writing creates a feeling of unity and cohesion, underlined here by Ryan Brown’s eager conducting. Just as in his recording of Gluck’s Orphée et Euridice (see review) he opts for swift tempos and had at least this reviewer sitting on the edge of his chair. There is such vitality and thrust in his reading that the work stands out as perhaps better than it actually is, but for my money this is an opera to set beside Gluck, Haydn and Mozart as a superb example of late 18th century music theatre. Readers should be warned though that, this being a French opera, there are some decorative elements, like scene 3 of the first act with choruses and dances. The whole opera ends in a kind of anti-climax with an eight-minute ballet sequence. All of this is superbly performed; good music but more or less superfluous.

The Opera Lafayette perform with enthusiasm and flair and Brown and producer Max Wilcox have gathered a fine line-up of soloists. Some of the smaller parts are taken by members of the chorus and among the main characters the experienced François Loup is a deeply involved Œdipe, expressive and with a rich pallet of vocal colours. His daughter Antigone is the dramatically vibrant Nathalie Paulin who is also able to express the nobility of her character. The two tenors, Tony Boutté and Robert Getchell, are excellent; especially the latter who is a model of lyric tenor singing of music from this period. He should be a likewise excellent Don Ottavio or Tamino.

The booklet gives, in the usual Naxos manner, all the information one could possibly expect within the space available and besides a good track-related synopsis we also get the French libretto. The English translation can be downloaded.

This is one of the more thrilling “finds” within the operatic genre.

-- Göran Forsling, MusicWeb International

Tracklist 27 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Act I: Overture 04:27
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act I: Overture
    Duration
    04:27
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  3. 2 Act I Scene 1: Recitative: En vain un frere ingrat - Aria: Ma fille est le precieux gage (Thesee) 01:17
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: Recitative: En vain un frere ingrat - Aria: Ma fille est le precieux gage (Thesee)
    Duration
    01:17
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  4. 3 Act I Scene 1: Recitative: Ah! le trone ou j'aspire - Aria: Le fils des dieux (Polynice) 02:44
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: Recitative: Ah! le trone ou j'aspire - Aria: Le fils des dieux (Polynice)
    Duration
    02:44
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  5. 4 Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Habitants de Colone (Thesee) - Chorus: Nous braverons pour lui (Soldiers) - Recitative: Vous avez… (Herault) 02:49
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Habitants de Colone (Thesee) - Chorus: Nous braverons pour lui (Soldiers) - Recitative: Vous avez… (Herault)
    Duration
    02:49
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  6. 5 Act I Scene 3: Chorus: Allez regner (Women's Choir) 02:09
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Chorus: Allez regner (Women's Choir)
    Duration
    02:09
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  7. 6 Act I Scene 3: Dance: Andantino - Allegro 04:35
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Dance: Andantino - Allegro
    Duration
    04:35
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  8. 7 Act I Scene 3: Aria: Vous quittez notre aimable Athenes (An Athenian) 03:00
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Aria: Vous quittez notre aimable Athenes (An Athenian)
    Duration
    03:00
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  9. 8 Act I Scene 3: Dance: Gavotte 04:56
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Dance: Gavotte
    Duration
    04:56
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  10. 9 Act I Scene 3: Aria: Je ne vous quitte point (Eriphile) 01:59
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Aria: Je ne vous quitte point (Eriphile)
    Duration
    01:59
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  11. 10 Act I Scene 4: Recitative: Allons au temple (Thesee, Polynice, Eriphile) - Aria: Votre cour devint mon asile (Polynice) 04:46
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act I Scene 4: Recitative: Allons au temple (Thesee, Polynice, Eriphile) - Aria: Votre cour devint mon asile (Polynice)
    Duration
    04:46
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  12. 11 Act I Scene 4: Recitative: Cher prince, calmez vous - Trio: Implorons les bienfaits (Thesee, Eriphile, Polynice) 02:08
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act I Scene 4: Recitative: Cher prince, calmez vous - Trio: Implorons les bienfaits (Thesee, Eriphile, Polynice)
    Duration
    02:08
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  13. 12 Act I Scene 5: Chorus: O vous que l'innocence meme - Recitative: Divinites d'Athenes protectrices… (Chorus, High Priest, Polynice, Eriphile) 06:41
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act I Scene 5: Chorus: O vous que l'innocence meme - Recitative: Divinites d'Athenes protectrices… (Chorus, High Priest, Polynice, Eriphile)
    Duration
    06:41
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  14. 13 Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Ou vais-je, malheureux - Aria: Helas, d'une si pure flamme (Polynice) 04:51
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Ou vais-je, malheureux - Aria: Helas, d'une si pure flamme (Polynice)
    Duration
    04:51
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  15. 14 Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Ah, n'avancons pas d'avantage - Duet: Ma fille, helas (Oedipe, Antigone) - Aria: Tout mon bonheur… (Antigone) 05:29
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Ah, n'avancons pas d'avantage - Duet: Ma fille, helas (Oedipe, Antigone) - Aria: Tout mon bonheur… (Antigone)
    Duration
    05:29
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  16. 15 Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Ta consolante voix - Duet: Filles du Styx (Oedipe, Antigone) 07:17
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Ta consolante voix - Duet: Filles du Styx (Oedipe, Antigone)
    Duration
    07:17
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  17. 16 Act II Scene 3: Chorus: Quel mortel temeraire - Recitative: Audacieux vieillard (A Coryphee, Antigone, Oedipe) - Chorus: Oedipe est l'ennemi 02:30
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: Chorus: Quel mortel temeraire - Recitative: Audacieux vieillard (A Coryphee, Antigone, Oedipe) - Chorus: Oedipe est l'ennemi
    Duration
    02:30
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  18. 17 Act II Scene 4: Recitative: Barbares! Arretez! (Thesee, Antigone, Chorus) - Aria: Du malheur auguste victime (Thesee) 06:03
    Track
    17
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Recitative: Barbares! Arretez! (Thesee, Antigone, Chorus) - Aria: Du malheur auguste victime (Thesee)
    Duration
    06:03
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  19. Disc 2
  20. 1 Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Oedipe et le Roi sont ensemble - Duet: Vous le savez, grands dieux! (Polynice, Antigone) 03:31
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Oedipe et le Roi sont ensemble - Duet: Vous le savez, grands dieux! (Polynice, Antigone)
    Duration
    03:31
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  21. 2 Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Appesanti par l'age - Aria: Dieux! Ce n'est par pour moi (Antigone) 03:17
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Appesanti par l'age - Aria: Dieux! Ce n'est par pour moi (Antigone)
    Duration
    03:17
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  22. 3 Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Dieux! Que tant de vertu - Duet: En ma faveur (Polynice, Antigone) - Recitative: On vient (Polynice) 04:53
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Dieux! Que tant de vertu - Duet: En ma faveur (Polynice, Antigone) - Recitative: On vient (Polynice)
    Duration
    04:53
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  23. 4 Act III Scene 2: Recitative: Auguste malheureux (Thesee) 00:42
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act III Scene 2: Recitative: Auguste malheureux (Thesee)
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  24. 5 Act III Scene 3: Recitative: Ma fille, que veut-il (Oedipe, Antigone, Polynice) - Aria: Daignez rendre (Polynice) 08:11
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Recitative: Ma fille, que veut-il (Oedipe, Antigone, Polynice) - Aria: Daignez rendre (Polynice)
    Duration
    08:11
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  25. 6 Act III Scene 3: Recitative: O dieux! Toi, scelerat! (Polynice, Oedipe, Antigone) - Aria: Delivrez-vous (Polynice) 05:18
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Recitative: O dieux! Toi, scelerat! (Polynice, Oedipe, Antigone) - Aria: Delivrez-vous (Polynice)
    Duration
    05:18
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  26. 7 Act III Scene 3: Aria: Ou suis-je? (Oedipe, Polynice, Antigone) 04:09
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Aria: Ou suis-je? (Oedipe, Polynice, Antigone)
    Duration
    04:09
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  27. 8 Act III Scene 3: Trio: O doux moment (Oedipe, Polynice, Antigone) 02:15
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Trio: O doux moment (Oedipe, Polynice, Antigone)
    Duration
    02:15
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  28. 9 Act III Scene 4: Recitative: Le ciel est desarme (High Priest, Polynice, Thesee, Eriphile, Oedipe) - Chorus: Le calme succede aux tempêtes 04:32
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act III Scene 4: Recitative: Le ciel est desarme (High Priest, Polynice, Thesee, Eriphile, Oedipe) - Chorus: Le calme succede aux tempêtes
    Duration
    04:32
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini
  29. 10 Act III Scene 4: Dance: (Chaconne) - Gavotte - (Chaconne) 07:54
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act III Scene 4: Dance: (Chaconne) - Gavotte - (Chaconne)
    Duration
    07:54
    Composer
    Nicolas-François Guillard, Antonio Sacchini