Ibert: Angélique

Ibert’s delightful one-act farce tells the distinctly un-PC tale of a shrewish wife put up for sale by her despairing husband, only for an Italian, an Englishman (who takes the precaution of inspecting his intended’s teeth), an African king and the devil himself to reject her as too hot to handle. Gaëlle Méchaly’s light and flexible soprano is just right for the terrifying main role, backed by a fine cast and playing that brilliantly conveys the humour of the piece. Inclusion of an English translation of the French text (there is much spoken dialogue) would have made one’s happiness complete.

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 1:20 pm

COMPOSERS: Ibert
LABELS: Warner Fonit
WORKS: Angélique
PERFORMER: Carmelo Caruso, Gaëlle Méchaly, Bruce Fowler; Palermo Teatro Massimo Chorus & Orchestra/Yoram David
CATALOGUE NO: 8573-83513-2 Reissue (1997)

Ibert’s delightful one-act farce tells the distinctly un-PC tale of a shrewish wife put up for sale by her despairing husband, only for an Italian, an Englishman (who takes the precaution of inspecting his intended’s teeth), an African king and the devil himself to reject her as too hot to handle. Gaëlle Méchaly’s light and flexible soprano is just right for the terrifying main role, backed by a fine cast and playing that brilliantly conveys the humour of the piece. Inclusion of an English translation of the French text (there is much spoken dialogue) would have made one’s happiness complete. Christopher Wood

This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2024