COMPOSERS: Thomas
LABELS: Sony
WORKS: Mignon
PERFORMER: Marilyn Horne, Alain Vanzo, Ruth Welting, Nicola Zaccaria, Frederica von Stade; Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra/Antonio de Almeida
CATALOGUE NO: SM3K 34590 ADD Reissue (1977)
Ambroise Thomas (1811-96) was a composer of charm and energy rather than a rugged individualist, who aimed to please with gentle sentiment, lovely melody and beautiful orchestration. Mignon abounds in these qualities, though like most French treatments of Goethe, it softens and sweetens the literary edge of the original. Goethe offhandedly killed his heroine; Thomas and his librettists kept her happily alive. This was a truly fine and sympathetic recording when it first appeared in 1978, and its reappearance, beautifully transferred to CD, should be welcomed by all connoiseurs of French opéra lyrique. Barrymore Laurence Scherer
Thomas: Mignon
Ambroise Thomas (1811-96) was a composer of charm and energy rather than a rugged individualist, who aimed to please with gentle sentiment, lovely melody and beautiful orchestration. Mignon abounds in these qualities, though like most French treatments of Goethe, it softens and sweetens the literary edge of the original. Goethe offhandedly killed his heroine; Thomas and his librettists kept her happily alive.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:17 pm