Search - Georges Bizet, Lamberto Gardelli, Lucia Popp :: Bizet - Djamileh / Popp · Bonisolli · Lafont · Gardelli

Djamileh- a forgotten treasure

02/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of only 2 recordings of this opera. The other - Mercier/Todorovitch/Maurette/Le Roux, is more recent (1999)) but not as good. The piece contains some of Bizets most lyrical music and it is conducted by Gardelli with sensitivity and pace. Popp's creamy soprano gives the title role the warmth required for the opera's only really sympathetic character and Bonisolli tackles the demanding role of Haroun with assurance. LaFont's Splendiano is much better than LeRoux's, which makes too many demands on the latter's baritone. It is really a tenor role. the only pity is that this recording omits much of thte spoken dialogue making the story difficult to follow at times"

Ravishing

John Cragg | Delta(greater Vancouver), B.C Canada | 07/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Djamileh is not Carmen, but by the same token Carmen is not Djamileh. Djamileh also is not the Pearl Fishers though it is closer to it. This one-act opera stands on its own, showing in what very different and original ways Bizet could rise to a challange. The story of the slave girl and the variety seeker may have produced a delicious frisson in the breasts of the corsetted 19th century audience, but now it is both politically incorrect and not overly interesting. Nevertheless, Bizet lavishes some splendid music, in many instances quite far in advance of its time, on this work. Lucia Popp sings with a melting sweetness that should win any heart even if you cannot make out most of her words. Franco Bonisolli in the unsympathetic tenor role matches her perfectly. Gardelli makes it all fit together, including the splashes of "oriental colour", bringing the best from his orchestra and choir. The booklet contains the libretto."

Impregnated with a sweet atmospheric oriental grace...

J. E. ASENCIO-NEGRON | Guaynabo, Puerto Rico USA | 06/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I never grow tired of hearing this beautiful recording (Bizet's opera: Djamileh (Paris, 1872)), sung with such strength and elegance, and impregnated with a sweet atmospheric oriental grace. It is lyric music of the best caliber, the final duet in the tradition of the "opéra comique". Djamileh's aria: "Nour-Eddin, Roi de Lahore", is quite beatiful, even though the diction of Ms. Popp is not as superb as Ms. Denyce Graves in her CD "Héroïnes de l'Opéra Romantique". Her knowledge of the french style is evident. The exotic charm of the overture, and Djamileh's dance are unforgettable."