Search - Nicolas Isouard (Nicolò de Malte), Richard Bonynge, Ensemble XXI Moscow :: Nicolas Isouard: Cendrillon 'Cinderella' (Complete opera) (2 CDs) (Olympia)

Gone and soon to be forgotten...

Brett Farrell | Cape May, NJ USA | 08/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nicolo Isouard is amoungst that veritably dead breed of composers who deserve much more attention than they get or will likely get. And for proof of this you have but to listen to his once extremely popular 'Cendrillon'. Up until Rossini put his version out of Cinderella 'La Cenerentola' it was in great demand in opera houses in all of Europe.

Nicolo Isouard eventually disapeared from the public as people prefered the more Bel-Canto/french styling of Boieldieu to Isouard's very french Classical/Bel Canto style.

Isouard was not a one hit wonder either for if you can find his 'Les Rendez-vous Bourgeois' on the Musidisc label it is more than worth owning!

This particular work of his has several show stoppers in it and one song that will forever rank as one of my all time most loved songs forever...The gentle and rolling entr'acte to act 2 'Doux sommeil, sur l'innocence'! It has to be one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Things only get better as the second CD opens with an enticing Balero and they just keep getting better from there.

Also very important to mention, Richard Bonynge and every singer, the Ensemble XXI Moscow and the sound quality are just superb! May the heavens always look favorably upon them all for bringing this work back to life.

I know I must say this often about operas, but this opera and this recording are a true gem and sadly will likely be heard by few."