Dive into the avant-garde world of György Ligeti with his iconic opera "Le Grand Macabre," a work that defies conventional opera norms and plunges listeners into a surreal, absurdist narrative. Completed in 1977 and revised in 1996, this stage production is Ligeti's only major opera and stands as a testament to his unique compositional style. The 1999 recording, released by Sony Classical, captures the 1997 version of the opera, performed live in Paris by the Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen, with the London Sinfonietta Voices.
"Le Grand Macabre" is an "anti-anti-opera," a term Ligeti himself used to describe the work. It is a darkly humorous and provocative exploration of life, death, and the absurdities of human existence. The opera is set in the decaying yet carefree principality of Breughelland and features a libretto by Michael Meschke and György Ligeti, based on Michel de Ghelderode's "La balade du grand macabre." The story is as outrageous as it is captivating, delving into themes of S&M, nymphomania, infantilism, and a failed apocalypse.
The opera is divided into four scenes, each filled with Ligeti's signature experimental and innovative musical techniques. The 1999 release includes a comprehensive booklet with presentations by Ligeti and the libretto in German, French, and English, providing valuable context and insights into the opera's creation and themes. The recording spans over an hour and forty minutes, offering a rich and immersive experience of Ligeti's avant-garde masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a curious explorer of contemporary classical music, "Le Grand Macabre" promises a unique and unforgettable auditory journey.
Tracks
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Car Horn PreludeGyörgy Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 1: "Dies Irae"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 1: "Away, you swag-pot!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 1:"Shut up!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 1: "Oh...! Amanda! Can do no more!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 1: "Ha-ha-ha-ha! Hey! Give me my requisites"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 1: "Melting snow is thy breast"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Second Car Horn PreludeGyörgy Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 2: "One! Two! Three! Five!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 2: "Shapely and attractive figure"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 2: "Venus! Venus!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 2: "Stop! - Sh!... Quiet, for heaven's sake!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 2: "Who's there? A Man? - A Man!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 2: Finale "Fire and death I bring"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: Doorbell PreludeGyörgy Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Arse licker, arse-kisser!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Posture exercises!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Tsk... - Pssst! Ha! Head of my Secret Service"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Ahh! ...Secret cypher!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Hurray, hurray! My wife is dead, hurray!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: Nekrotzars EntranceGyörgy Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Woe! Ooh! For the day of wrath"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "There's no need to fear"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Up! - Drink! - Up!"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: Galimatias: "Hmm! It's delicious"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 3: "Where am I? What time is it?"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): InterludeGyörgy Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 4: "Ghost Astradamors, are you dead?"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 4: Mirror CanonGyörgy Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Grand Macabre (1997 Version): Scene 4: Finale. Passacaglia: "Ah, it was good"György Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra
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