Au commencement était la mère : Debussy et Ravel à Radio France

By Suzanne Lay-Canessa, 16 April 2016

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“Rythmes mouvants, harmonies audacieuses, sensualité jamais feinte ou trop appuyée”

Reviewed at Maison de la Radio et de la Musique: Auditorium, Paris on 15 April 2016

Debussy, L'Enfant prodigue

Ravel, L'Enfant et les sortilèges

Mikko Franck, Conductor

Karina Gauvin, Lia

Roberto Alagna, Azael

Jean-François Lapointe, Siméon, Cat (male), Clock

Chloé Briot, The Child

Jodie Devos, Bat, Owl, Shepherdess

Sabine Devieilhe, Fire, Nightingale, Princess

Julie Pasturaud, Cat (female), Squirrel

Nathalie Stutzmann, China Cup, Dragonfly, Mother

François Piolino, Little old man, Tree frog, Wedgwood teapot

Nicolas Courjal, Chair, Tree

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

Chœur de Radio France

Sofi Jeannin, Choirmaster / chorus director

Richard Jones' clunky Samson et Dalila returns to Covent Garden

Dominic Lowe, 13th May

With Aigul Akhmetshina and Seokjong Baek in the title roles, there are reasons to be optimistic, but The Royal Opera's revival of Richard Jones' production is a mixed bag.

***11

Reality television: ENO’s Angel’s Bone in Manchester

Lawrence Dunn, 12th May

Kip Williams and ENO mount an extraordinary new production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s multifaceted opera, with performances of great emotional directness broadcast live on camera.

*****

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

David Smythe, 9th May

A traditional Marriage of Figaro entertains with a strong cast, eye-catching design and lighting, and Amanda Holden’s earthy libretto.

****1

Sasha Cooke brings sharp intelligence to Seattle Opera’s Carmen

Thomas May, 8th May

Sasha Cooke’s thoughtful role debut anchors Paul Curran’s visually and musically alert but dramatically uneven production.

****1

Werther oozes quiet despair in new Canadian Opera Company staging

John Gilks, 7th May

Excellent performances cannot turn a conventional production of Massenet’s Werther into a dramatic experience for the 21st century.

***11

Rossini’s Cenerentola proves great fun in Adelaide

Sandra Bowdler, 7th May

Neil Armfield’s production for State Opera South Australia combines a sparkling night of entertainment with first class musical values.

****1

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Suzanne Lay-Canessa

Docteure en littérature comparée, passionnée de langues, Suzanne a consacré sa thèse de doctorat à Jean-Sébastien Bach. Elle enseigne le français, la littérature et l’histoire de l’Opéra à l’Institute for American Universities et à Sciences Po Aix. Collaboratrice régulière du journal Zibeline, elle publie dans les rubriques Musiques, Livres, Cinéma, Spectacle vivant et Arts Visuels.

Au commencement était la mère : fils indignes, sales gosses et héritages impressionnistes au programme du vendredi du Philhar