Meyerbeer: Les Huguenots.(Sound Recording Review)

Rancatore, Raspagliosi, Allegretta; Mok, Bronikowski, Grassi, Kang; Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Palumbo. Text and translation. Dynamic CDS 422/1-3 (Qualiton, dist.)

The case of Meyerbeer is one of the most surprising in opera history. In the middle third of the nineteenth century, he all but ruled the lyric stage. Verdi openly admired his works, and Wagner was consumed by their success. But his drop in the world's esteem through tire twentieth century could hardly have been more precipitous. Les Huguenots, a gorgeous and effective work, was played repeatedly at the Met during the house's first decade (usually in Italian or German) but has not been performed by the company since 1915. With passages that show a deep appreciation of Mozart, passages that anticipate Verdi's late achievements in massed voices, and passages of shocking orchestral colors (such as the "Piff, Paff" song that could have been written by no one else), it is hard to believe that the opera now needs special pleading. It is not exactly music drama until the Valentine--Nevers duet in Act III, but it is not trying to be. It's a treasure-trove of opportunities for voices and instruments, designed in go with a feast for the eyes onstage. With La Juive a major hit at the Met last year, perhaps we are ready for it again.

The best aspect of this recording is the conducting of Renato Palumbo. He sets tempos that allow for ease of rubato (such as the one for "O beau pays"), and he breathes with his singers. He does not apologize for the roof-raising moments--the "Dieu le veut!" chorus has genuine excitement. Best of all, he relishes the orchestral balances. But overall we have a beautiful frame without much of a picture in it.

The prima ...