Lully: Ballets & recits italiens

Album Description

Jean-Baptiste Lully, the renowned composer who shaped French baroque music, invites you into his world with "Ballets & Récits Italiens." This captivating album, released on August 24, 2009, under the Glossa label, offers a rich tapestry of arias, recitatives, duos, trios, and instrumental pieces that showcase Lully's mastery and innovation.

The album features a diverse selection of works, including excerpts from Lully's ballets and operas such as "Psyché," "Alcidiane," "Le bourgeois gentilhomme," and "Amour malade." Each track is a testament to Lully's ability to blend Italian and French musical styles, creating a unique and enchanting sound that has become synonymous with the French baroque era.

Recorded at the Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunciata in Brunello, Varese, Italy, in October 2008, the album benefits from the exceptional acoustics of this historic venue. The performances are led by the talented conductor Fabio Bonizzoni and feature the skilled vocalists Emanuela Galli, Yetzabel Arias Fernández, and Stefanie True, accompanied by the talented ensemble La Risonanza.

With a duration of 1 hour and 12 minutes, "Ballets & Récits Italiens" is a comprehensive exploration of Lully's dramatic output. The album's 13 tracks offer a captivating journey through the composer's most celebrated works, providing both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers with an opportunity to appreciate the depth and richness of Lully's musical legacy.

August 24, 2009

2009 Glossa

About Jean-Baptiste Lully

Jean-Baptiste Lully, born in Florence in 1632, was a titan of French Baroque music, despite his Italian roots. His life's work was deeply intertwined with the opulent court of Louis XIV, where he served as a composer, dancer, and instrumentalist. Lully's influence was so profound that he effectively controlled French court music from 1662 onwards, and his style resonated throughout Europe. He is renowned for his operas and his collaborations with the playwright Molière on numerous comédie-ballets, including the iconic "Le Bourgeois gentilhomme."

Lully's contributions to music are vast, with over 40 ballets and a significant body of sacred music to his name. He is credited with founding the French opera genre, creating a unique style of musical declamation that perfectly suited the French language. His tragic death in 1687, resulting from an infection caused by a conducting stick, only adds to the dramatic narrative of his life. Lully's legacy endures, making him a pivotal figure in the history of European music.