Dive into the enchanting world of André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry's "Zémire et Azor," a captivating opera that has been beautifully arranged by the renowned Sir Thomas Beecham. This 2014 release from SOMM Recordings offers a comprehensive journey through Grétry's masterful composition, spanning nearly two hours of exquisite music.
The album features a full performance of "Zémire et Azor," a tale of love, magic, and redemption, brought to life by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Beecham's baton. With 43 tracks, this recording captures the essence of Grétry's operatic genius, from the stirring overture to the intricate arias and duets that weave the story together.
Grétry, a prominent figure in French opera during the late 18th century, is known for his lyrical melodies and dramatic flair. "Zémire et Azor" is a testament to his skill, blending elements of comedy, romance, and supernatural intrigue. The opera's libretto, based on a fairy tale by Madame Leprince de Beaumont, provides a rich narrative backdrop for Grétry's music.
The performance is marked by its clarity and precision, showcasing the orchestral prowess of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Beecham's arrangement highlights the opera's most memorable moments, from the haunting arias to the lively ensemble pieces. The album is a treasure trove for opera enthusiasts and classical music lovers alike, offering a deep dive into Grétry's musical legacy.
"Zémire et Azor" is not just a performance; it's an experience. The album's detailed track listing allows listeners to follow the opera's plot closely, from the opening storm scene to the final, triumphant resolution. Whether you're a seasoned opera aficionado or a curious newcomer, this recording promises to enchant and inspire.
Tracks
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I: OvertureAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 1: Dialogue: Ariette: L'orage va cesser (Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Hamel
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 1: Dialogue: Que dis-tu? L'orage redouble (Sander, Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Michel Hamel, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 1: Air: Le malheur me rend intrepide (Sander)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 1: Oh! moi, qui n'eus jamais d'autre bien que ma vie (Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Hamel
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 1: Ariette: Les esprits, dont on nous fait peurAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 1: Dialogue: Ali, pour le coup, est un homme.. (Sander)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 1: Duet: Le temps est beau (Sander, Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Michel Hamel, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 2: Dialogue: Allons, ma famille m'attend (Sander, Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Michel Hamel, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 2: Air: La pauvre enfant ne savait pas (Sander)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 2: Dialogue: J'ai l'ame assez compatissante (Azor, Sander)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Sénéchal, Bernard Lefort
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 2: Air: Ne va pas me tromper (Azor)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Sénéchal
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act I Scene 2: Finale: Symphoie qui exprime le vol du nuageAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act II Scene 1: Trio: Veillons mes soeurs (Zemire, Fatme, Lisbe)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Huguette Boulangeot, Arda Mandikian, Claire Duchesneau
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act II Scene 2: Dialogue: Ah mon pere! Quelle joie (Zemire, Fatme, Lisbe)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Huguette Boulangeot, Arda Mandikian, Claire Duchesneau
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act II Scene 2: Ariette: Rose cherie (Zemire)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Huguette Boulangeot
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act II Scene 3: Dialogue: Vous avez veille toute la nuit (Sander, Ali, Zemire)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Michel Hamel, Huguette Boulangeot, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Je vais faire encore un voyage (Sander)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act II Scene 3: Duet: Je veux le voir; je veux lui dire (Zemire, Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Huguette Boulangeot, Michel Hamel
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 1: Air: Ah! quel tourment d'etre sensible (Azor)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Sénéchal
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 1: Cruelle fee, abrege ou ma vie, ou ma peine (Azor) - Scene 2: Dialogue: Vous voila; je me sauve; adieu (Ali, Zemire)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Hamel, Huguette Boulangeot
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 2: Duet: Rassure mon pere (Zemire, Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Huguette Boulangeot, Michel Hamel
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 2: Dialogue: Esclave, eloigne-toi (Azor, Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Hamel
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 2: Entree des geniesAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 2: Allegro (Passepied)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 2: Airs de balletAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 5: Dialogue: O ciel! (Zemire, Azor)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Huguette Boulangeot, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 5: Air: Du moment qu'on aime (Azor)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 5: Dialogue: Helas, je ne puis revenir de mon etonnement (Zemire, Azor)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Huguette Boulangeot, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 5: Air: La fauvette, avec ses petits (Zemire)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Huguette Boulangeot
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 5: Dialogue: Vos chants pour moi sont une plainte (Azor, Zemire)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Huguette Boulangeot, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 6: Dialogue: Helas! comme il est triste! (Zemire, Azor) - Trio: Ah! laissez-moi la pleurer (Sander, Fatme, Lisbe)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Huguette Boulangeot, Bernard Lefort, Arda Mandikian, Claire Duchesneau, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 7: Dialogue: Ah! cruel! (Zemire, Azor)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Huguette Boulangeot, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 7: N'oubliez pas celui qui vous attend (Azor) - LarghettoAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act III Scene 7: Entr'acteAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 1: Ariette: J'en suis encor tremblant (Ali)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Michel Hamel
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 2: Dialogue: Volia ma soeur (Fatme, Lisbe, Sander)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Arda Mandikian, Claire Duchesneau, Bernard Lefort, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 2: Quartet: Ah! je tremble (Zemire, Sander, Fatme, Lisbe)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Huguette Boulangeot, Bernard Lefort, Arda Mandikian, Claire Duchesneau, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 3: Air: Le soleil s'est cache dans l'onde (Azor)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 3: Air: Azor! Azor! en vain ma voix l'appelle (Zemire)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Huguette Boulangeot
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 5: Dialogue: Zemire! (Azor) - Scene 6: Dialogue: Mon pere! Me soeurs! Felicite supreme (Zemire, Sander)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Michel Sénéchal, Huguette Boulangeot, Bernard Lefort, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 6: Final: Amour, amour (All)André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bernard Lefort, Michel Sénéchal, Michel Hamel, Huguette Boulangeot, Arda Mandikian, Claire Duchesneau, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Zemire et Azor (arr. T. Beecham): Act IV Scene 6: Le ballet termine le spectacle. Reprise de PassepiedAndré-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sir Thomas Beecham, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
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