Search - Bohuslav Martinu, Václav Neumann, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra :: Martinu: Ariane

Fine performances of an inventive, enjoyable work

G.D. | Norway | 02/05/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Martinu composed Ariane as a side-project while working on The Greek Passion, and never saw the premiere (1961), and it is a relatively light, modest work (at least if compared to the Greek Passion). The libretto, by the French Surrealist Georges Neveux is an absorbing one, a retelling of the old Greek myth in a very French surrealist vein, where the sequences of actions are dreamlike in their ambiguity between the comprehensible and the absurd in manner that keeps at least this listener attentive and moved.



Martinu's music for the whole thing is strong but often sounding like a deliberate parody of his own style (as well as of Baroque opera). It all passes by in quick successions of short, austere, precise and almost short-breathed sinfonias and recitatives but always in Martinu's very personal and easily recognizable manner, littered with small surprises and twists and culminating in the exquisitely touching Ariane's lament.



And the performances? One might bicker at the French pronunciation of some of the characters - at least some reviewers do - although my French isn't quite good enough to make me notice too much. Celina Lindsley has a sweet-sounding soprano and tackles most passages admirably but lacking that last ounce of weight that would make the performance wholly convincing. Theseus is strong and muscular and generally very commendable. The other roles are relatively small, but rendered with color, skill and panache.



Orchestral playing under Vaclav Neumann is impeccable; colorful and with sweep and a strong rhythmic profile. To sum up, this is hardly Martinu's strongest work in the opera genre, but no fan of the composer would want to miss it; all the touches are here and the level of invention high; everything is given a good recording and even though the playing time is short, this release remains eminently recommendable."