Immerse yourself in the grandeur of French grand opera with Giacomo Meyerbeer's monumental work, "Les Huguenots," featuring the legendary tenor Franco Corelli. This 2014 release from Forlane Records presents a complete recording of Meyerbeer's epic opera, originally premiered in 1836, which remains one of the most spectacular and influential works in the operatic canon. With a runtime of over three and a half hours, this album offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the full scope of Meyerbeer's masterpiece, from its stirring choruses to its soaring arias and duets.
"Les Huguenots" is set against the backdrop of the French Wars of Religion in the 16th century, weaving a tale of love, political intrigue, and religious conflict. The opera's libretto, penned by Eugène Scribe and Émile Deschamps, provides a rich narrative that showcases Meyerbeer's dramatic prowess and musical genius. The recording features a stellar cast of vocalists, including Franco Corelli, whose powerful and expressive tenor brings depth and passion to his role. The Orchestra of La Scala Milan and the Chorus of La Scala Milan, conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni, deliver a performance of breathtaking virtuosity and precision, capturing the full grandeur of Meyerbeer's score.
This album is a testament to the enduring appeal of "Les Huguenots," offering both seasoned opera enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre a chance to explore the rich tapestry of Meyerbeer's music. The recording's exceptional sound quality and meticulous attention to detail make it an essential addition to any opera lover's collection. Whether you're familiar with Meyerbeer's work or discovering it for the first time, this complete recording of "Les Huguenots" is sure to captivate and inspire.
ForlaneForlane / DOM
Tracks
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 1: PreludeGiacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 2: "Nei bei dl di giovinezza" (Nevers)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Wladimiro Ganzarolli
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 3: "Qui sotto il ciel Turenna" (Raoul)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Franco Corelli
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 4: "piace della mena" (Coro)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 5: "Versate in abbondanza" (Nevers)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Wladimiro Ganzarolli
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 6: "Non lungi dalle torri... Bianca al par" (Raoul)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Franco Corelli
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 7: "Qual mai strana figura" (Tavannes)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Piero de Palma
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 8: "Ma che? Ben osservando" (De Cosse)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Manuel Spatafora
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 9: "Piff! Paff!" (Marcello)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Nicolai Ghiaurov
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 10: "Del Castello al Signor"Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 11: "L'aventura è singolare" (Tavannes, De Retz)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Piero de Palma, Antonio Casselini
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 12: "Scioglier si dee l'imen" (Nevers)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Wladimiro Ganzarolli
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 13: "Vaga donna illustre e cara" (Urbano)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Fiorenza Cossotto
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 14: "Talor soverchio merto" (Nevers)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Wladimiro Ganzarolli
Les huguenots, Act II, Scene 15: "Lieto suol della Turenna" (Margarita)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act II, Scene 16: "Che la lotta fatal" (Margarita)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act II, Scene 17: "Chi giunge qui" (Margarita)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act II, Scene 18: Choeur (Coro)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano
Les huguenots, Act II, Scene 19: "Raoul, la vostra fè" (Margarita)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act II, Scene 20: "Scender nel mio petto" (Margarita)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act II, Scene 21: "per l'onor, per la fè degli avi miei" (Raoul, San Bris, Nevers)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Franco Corelli, Giorgio Tozzi, Wladimiro Ganzarolli
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 1: "Ecco il giorno di festa... Rataplan" (Coro)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 2: "Vergin del cielo" (Coro)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 3: "Su venite, siamo qua" (Coro)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 4: "Per compire un voto di pietà" (Nevers)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Wladimiro Ganzarolli
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 5: "Tornate alla vostra magion" (Coro)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 6: "nell'orro di cupa none" (Marcello)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Nicolai Ghiaurov
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 7: "Ah! L'infido! Quest'anima amante"Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 8: "Tu m'Intendesti?...Addio"Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 9: "Su, su Marcel" (Marcello)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Nicolai Ghiaurov
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 10: "Septuor" (Urbano)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Fiorenza Cossotto
Les huguenots, Act III, Scene 11: "Alt, olà, rispettate di novarra la regine"Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 12: "Affin son sola" (San Bris)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 13: Di Caterina un cenno conjuration & bénédiction des poignardsGiacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 14: "La causa è Santa" (San Bris)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 15: "Su voi fidarput, il Re?" (San Bris)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 16: "E voi che rispondeste" (San Bris)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Giorgio Tozzi
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 17: "Gloria a Dio vendicatore"Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 1: "Raoul...Ove vai tu?" (Raoul)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Franco Corelli
Les huguenots, Act IV, Scene 2: "Stringe il periglio" (Raoul)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Franco Corelli
Les huguenots, Act V, Scene 3: "Non acolti un suon funebre?" (Raoul)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni, Franco Corelli
Les huguenots, Act I, Scene 6: "Non lungi dalle torri... Bianca al par"Giacomo Meyerbeer, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Gianadrea Gavazenni
La Favorite, Act I, Scene 2: "Una vergine, un angel di Dio" (Fernando)Gaetano Donizetti, Fulvio Vernizzi, Orchestra della RAI, Franco Corelli
La Favorite, Act II, Scene 4: "Spirto Gentil" (Fernando)Gaetano Donizetti, Franco Corelli, Orchestra Philarmonia, Franco Ferraris
Lucia di Lammermoor, Act III, Scene 36: "Fra poco a me ricovero"Gaetano Donizetti, Alfredo Simonetto, Orchestra della RAI
Poliuto, Act II: "Veno e l'aura ch'io respiro"Gaetano Donizetti, Antonino Votto, Orchestra della Scala di Milano
Poliuto, Act III: "Donna Malvagio!"Gaetano Donizetti, Antonino Votto, Orchestra della Scala di Milano
Hercules, HWV 60, Act I, Scene 2: "Lo sento, sento il Dio"George Frideric Handel, Lovro Von Matacic, Orchestra della Scala di Milano
Hercules, HWV 60, Act II, Scene 8: "O Zeus! Accori tu"George Frideric Handel, Lovro Von Matacic, Orchestra della Scala di Milano
Giacomo Meyerbeer, born Jacob Liebmann Beer, was a German opera composer who rose to become one of the most celebrated and influential figures in 19th-century music. Hailing from a wealthy Jewish family in Prussia, Meyerbeer's journey took him through Italy and France, where he honed his craft and adopted his stage name. He is renowned for pioneering the grand opera genre, blending German orchestral style with Italian vocal traditions to create spectacular, melodramatic works that captivated audiences. His collaborations with librettist Eugène Scribe resulted in iconic operas like "Robert le diable," "Les Huguenots," and "Le prophète," which set the standard for Parisian opera and solidified the city's reputation as the opera capital of the world. Meyerbeer's innovations and dramatic flair left an indelible mark on the operatic landscape, influencing composers such as Richard Wagner and solidifying his legacy as a bridge between the classical and romantic eras.