Dive into the enchanting world of French opera with Rockwell Blake's captivating album, "Airs d'opéras français." This exquisite collection, set to release on August 1, 2024, under the prestigious Warner Classics label, showcases Blake's remarkable tenor voice across a span of nearly two centuries of operatic history.
From the Baroque elegance of Jean-Baptiste Lully to the Romantic fervor of Georges Bizet, this album is a journey through the evolution of French opera. Blake's performances are accompanied by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, conducted by Patrick Fournillier, ensuring an authentic and rich musical experience.
The album features a diverse range of arias, each demonstrating Blake's vocal prowess and versatility. From the dramatic intensity of Piccinni's "Roland" to the lyrical beauty of Delibes' "Lakmé," every track is a testament to Blake's artistry. Notable highlights include arias from beloved operas such as Donizetti's "La fille du régiment," Rossini's "Le Comte Ory," and Adam's "Si j'étais roi."
With a duration of one hour and two minutes, "Airs d'opéras français" is a comprehensive exploration of French operatic arias, perfect for both casual listeners and opera enthusiasts. Whether you're familiar with Rockwell Blake's previous works, such as "Mozart for Tenor" and "The Rossini Tenor," or discovering his talent for the first time, this album promises an unforgettable auditory experience.
Piccinni: Roland, Act 2: "En butte aux fureurs de l'orage" (Médor)Niccolò Piccinni, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Lully: Persée, LWV 60, Act 3: "Ô tranquille sommeil" (Mercure)Jean-Baptiste Lully, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Gluck: Orphée et Eurydice, Wq. 41, Act 1: Ariette. "L'espoir renaît en mon âme" (Orphée)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Gluck: Armide, Wq. 45, Act 2: "Plus j'observe ces lieux" (Renaud)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Boieldieu: Les voitures versées, Act 1: Couplets. "Jeune beauté d'humeur légère" (Armand)François-Adrien Boieldieu, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Boieldieu: La dame blanche, Act 2: "Maintenant, observons" - Cavatine. "Viens, gentille dame" (Georges)François-Adrien Boieldieu, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Auber: Le premier jour du bonheur, Act 3: Stances. "Ce nom qui me rappelle" (Gaston)Daniel Auber, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Donizetti: La fille du régiment, Act 1: ''Ah ! Mes amis, quel jour de fête" (Tonio)Gaetano Donizetti, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Donizetti: La fille du régiment, Act 1: Romance. ''Pour me rapprocher de Marie" (Tonio)Gaetano Donizetti, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Rossini: Le Comte Ory, Act 1: Cavatine. "Que les destins prospères" (Le Comte)Gioachino Rossini, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Adam: Si j'étais roi, Act 1: Romance. "J'ignore son nom, sa naissance" (Zéphoris)Adolphe Adam, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Adam: Le postillon de Lonjumeau, Act 1: Ronde. "Mes amis, écoutez l'histoire" (Chapelou)Adolphe Adam, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Bizet: La jolie fille de Perth, WD 15, Act 2: "Partout des cris de joie" - Sérénade. "À la voix d'un amant fidèle" (Smith)Georges Bizet, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Delibes: Lakmé, Act 1: "Prendre le dessin d'un bijou" - Air. "Fantaisie aux divins mensonges" (Gérald)Léo Delibes, Rockwell Blake, Patrick Fournillier, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Rockwell Blake, born on January 10, 1951, in Plattsburgh, New York, is a celebrated American operatic tenor renowned for his captivating performances in Rossini operas. His career took off after being trained by the esteemed Renata Carisio, and he made history as the first recipient of the prestigious Richard Tucker Award. Blake's powerful and expressive tenor voice has enchanted audiences worldwide, with notable roles in French operas such as Piccinni's "Roland" and Lully's "Persée." His discography, available on platforms like Discogs, Spotify, and AllMusic, showcases his versatility and mastery of the operatic repertoire. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or new to the genre, Rockwell Blake's performances promise an unforgettable musical experience.
Vinylscout
Rockwell Blake
