Search - Marc-Antoine Charpentier, William Christie, Gérard Lesne :: Charpentier: David & Jonathas

Charpentier: David & Jonathas
Marc-Antoine Charpentier, William Christie, Gérard Lesne
Charpentier: David & Jonathas
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (21) - Disc #2

Lully may have had a monopoly on the performance of actual opera in France, but David et Jonathas is effectively a sacred opera composed for performance at Jesuit colleges. The work is comprised mostly of arias and choruse...  more »

     
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Lully may have had a monopoly on the performance of actual opera in France, but David et Jonathas is effectively a sacred opera composed for performance at Jesuit colleges. The work is comprised mostly of arias and choruses; what recitative there is is unusually dramatic--especially in Saul's confrontation with David and his visit to the Witch of Endor to summon the ghost of Samuel. (Dominique Visse as the Witch deserves special mention for a convincing performance in a role that could easily descend into camp.) William Christie's choir and orchestra perform with all the expertise you'd expect; Monique Zanetti makes a rather feminine Jonathan but sings beautifully. In the role of David, the sensitive and heroic countertenor voice of Gérard Lesne is extraordinary. --Matthew Westphal
 

CD Reviews

Amazing recording
Corrado Speranza | Perugia, Italy | 12/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording offers a great performance of a beautiful Charpentier opera. William Christie and Les Arts Florissant are specialized in this type of music: in general the French Style in the 18th century is lacking in feelings but David & Jonathas is an exception. For example you will find a very touching scene in the fifth act, when Jonathan dies in the arms of David. The combination of soloists and chorus gives variety to this opera; the music is sweet and gives a religious atmosphere to it, so you can mistake it for an oratorio. Buy it ! All the singers are very good and the two cds are very inexpensive !"