COMPOSERS: Ravel
LABELS: EMI
WORKS: L’heure espagnole
PERFORMER: Denise Duval, Jean Vieuille, René Hérent, Jean Giraudeau, Charles Clavensy; Opéra-Comique Orchestra/André Cluytens
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 5 65269 2 ADD monoReissue
With this one-acter, Ravel set out to revitalise French opéra-comique, and this 1953 recording, coming from the genre’s Parisian home, reaks of authenticity. This colourful ‘Spanish hour’, during which Concepción takes advantage of her husband’s absence to juggle two lovers and a pair of capacious grandfather clocks, cries out for an up-to-date recording, but here the stylish singing more than makes up for the congested sound. Matthew Rye
Ravel: L'heure espagnole
With this one-acter, Ravel set out to revitalise French opéra-comique, and this 1953 recording, coming from the genre’s Parisian home, reaks of authenticity. This colourful ‘Spanish hour’, during which Concepción takes advantage of her husband’s absence to juggle two lovers and a pair of capacious grandfather clocks, cries out for an up-to-date recording, but here the stylish singing more than makes up for the congested sound. Matthew Rye
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:14 pm