Dive into the enchanting world of Matthew Locke's "Psyche," a captivating exploration of the legendary beauty whose allure ignited the passions of Cupid and the jealousy of Venus. This 2022 release, meticulously crafted by Ensemble Correspondances under the direction of Sébastien Daucé, offers a rich and immersive experience of Baroque opera at its finest. Recorded in the acoustically stunning Chapelle des Jésuites in Saint-Omer, France, the album spans an impressive 55 tracks, totaling nearly 1 hour and 47 minutes of pure musical splendor.
"Psyche" is not just an album; it's a journey through the mythical tale of Psyche, brought to life through Locke's dramatic and evocative compositions. From the delicate symphonies of recorders to the powerful dances and grand processions, each track is a testament to Locke's mastery of the Baroque style. The ensemble's performance is nothing short of breathtaking, with each musician and vocalist delivering a performance that is both technically impressive and deeply expressive.
The album features a stellar cast of vocalists, including Antonin Rondepierre, Caroline Bardot, Caroline Weynants, and David Tricou, whose voices soar and intertwine to create a tapestry of sound that is both rich and nuanced. Whether you're a seasoned Baroque enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Psyche" offers a compelling and engaging listening experience that showcases the best of Matthew Locke's musical genius.
2022 harmonia mundi2022 harmonia mundi / Ensemble Correspondances
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: A symphony of recorders and soft musickMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Great Psyche, goddess of each Field and Grove (Pan & Nymphs)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Nicolas Brooymans
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: A rustick dance of Sylvans & DryadsMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Symphony of rustick musick representing an ecchoMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Song of Ecchoes "Great Psyche shall find no such pleasure as here"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Dance for Ambition, Power, Plenty and PeaceMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Entry of EnvyMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Song of Envy & Furies "Envy 'gainst Psyche"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Renaud Brès, Caroline Bardot, Caroline Weynants
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Entry of the Princes Nicander & PolynicesMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Symphony at the descending of Venus in her chariot drawn by dovesMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: With kindness I your pray'rs receive (Venus)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Lieselot de Wilde
Psyche, Act I Scene 1: Symphony at the ascending of Venus in her chariot drawn by dovesMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act II: Curtain tune. The temple of Apollo DelphicusMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act II Scene 1: Song of procession in the temple "Let's to Apollo's Altar now repair"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Lucile Richardot
Psyche, Act II Scene 1: Son of Latona (Chief Priest)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Lucile Richardot
Psyche, Act II Scene 1: Dance of PriestsMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act II Scene 1: To Apollo, our Celestial King (Chief Priest & his attendants)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act II Scene 1: Ceremony for ApolloMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act II Scene 2: Entry for Despairing LoversMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act II Scene 2: Break, break distracted heart (Four Despairing Lovers)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Caroline Bardot, Davy Cornillot, Marc Mauillon, Nicolas Brooymans
Psyche, Act II Scene 2: Intermède. Plainte italienne (extr. from Lully's Psyché)Jean-Baptiste Lully, Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Lucile Richardot, Antonin Rondepierre, Nicolas Brooymans
Psyche, Act III Scene 1: Dance of CyclopsMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act III Scene 1: Song of Vulcan "Ye bold Sons of Earth"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Etienne Bazola, David Tricou, Renaud Brès, Nicolas Brooymans, Marc Mauillon
Psyche, Act III Scene 1: Song at the Treat of Cupid & Psyche "All joy to fair Psyche"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Caroline Weynants, Marc Mauillon, Davy Cornillot, Nicolas Brooymans, Caroline Bardot
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: Warlike dance with a consort of loud martial musickMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: Song and dance of the Salij "Let us loudly rejoice"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, David Tricou, Davy Cornillot
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: Song of Praesul "Great God of War"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Antonin Rondepierre
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: Warlike danceMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: While we to Mars (Praesul)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Antonin Rondepierre
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: Venus & Mars meet in the Air in their chariots; his drawn by horses, and hers by dovesMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: Song of Venus & Mars "Great God of War"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Lieselot de Wilde, Marc Mauillon
Psyche, Act III Scene 2: Entry of FuriesMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act IV Scene 1: Curtain tune. A stately garden belonging to the magnificent palaceMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act IV Scene 1: Entry for CupidsMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act IV Scene 1: Song for Cupids "Let old Age"Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Antonin Rondepierre, Paul-Antoine Benos-Djian
Psyche, Act IV Scene 1: Dance of the statues, leaping from their pedestalsMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act IV Scene 2: Stay, stay (God of the River & two Nymphs to Psyche)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Lucile Richardot, Caroline Weynants, Caroline Bardot
Psyche, Act IV Scene 2: Symphony at the descending of VenusMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V: Curtain tune. Burning ruins of buildings, the throne of Pluto, and a great number of Devils & FuriesMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V Scene 1: To what great distresses (Devils & Furies)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V Scene 1: Dance of the FuriesMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V Scene 1: Entry of PlutoMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V Scene 1: Refrain your tears (Pluto)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Nicolas Brooymans
Psyche, Act V Scene 1: Psyche, draw near (Proserpina & Pluto)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Davy Cornillot, Nicolas Brooymans
Psyche, Act V Scene 1: Be gone, fair Psyche (Proserpina & Pluto)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V Scenes 2 & 3: Symphony at the descending of Apollo and the GodsMatthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V Scene 3: Assemble all the ye Heavenly Quire (Apollo)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé
Psyche, Act V Scene 3: On Earth by unkindness (Three Elysian Lovers)Matthew Locke, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé, Caroline Weynants, Davy Cornillot, Caroline Bardot
Matthew Locke, born around 1621 in Exeter, England, was a pioneering figure in the world of English Baroque music, leaving an indelible mark as a composer and music theorist. His career spanned a tumultuous period, including the English Civil War, yet his compositions remained steadfast in their innovation and beauty. Trained as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral under the tutelage of Edward Gibbons, Locke's early musical education laid the foundation for his future accomplishments. His work is noted for its structural complexity and rule-bending tendencies, earning him comparisons to the renowned Italian composer Carlo Gesualdo. Locke's contributions to stage music were particularly significant, establishing him as a leading composer before the era of Henry Purcell. His legacy endures, captivating audiences with its timeless elegance and historical depth.
Vinylscout
Matthew Locke
