Credits:

Brahms / Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Description:

Lully's last opera "Assis et Galatee" Rousset and Les Talents Lilique and their frontline singers present their first full-length recording in a long time, and a very powerful one at that! Lully's last opera, "Assis et Galathe". This is Lully's first pastoral (non-tragedy) work in 13 years and a masterpiece that has been performed many times despite controversy since its premiere. The performers are led by Christophe Rousset, a key figure of the French Baroque, and the singers are all at the forefront of their respective fields. Lully's music for this dramatic story of the love between Galatea, a sea nymph, and Assis, a shepherd, and the violence of a jealous, polyphemous man, is a series of beautiful and moving moments, no matter which moment is chosen. The beautiful melodies and the delicacy of the instrumental pieces are all brought out in a way that Rousset could not have brought out in a better way. Asi and Galatea" was written for the festivities at the Castle of Ane. It is Lully's first work away from the tragic style in 13 years. The story depicts the love between Galatea, a sea nymph, and Assis, a shepherd, which comes to fruition despite the threat of violence from the jealous Polyphemes.The script was written by Jean Galbert de Campistron, who was very well received at the Comédie-Française, as Quinault, his longtime tag team partner, was unable to work due to health reasons. The premiere, held at the Château de l'Année and using the structure of the château to its advantage, was a great success, and was performed almost every night through the 13th. =Prologue: Diane, Lavandance, the god of wealth, and Komos, the god of festivals, gather at the Château d'Année to praise it and announce the story that is to unfold. Pastoral" Act 1 takes place in Sicily. Assis, a shepherd, is in love with Galatea, a beautiful sea nymph. While the shepherds are singing a beautiful song, the jealous giant Polyphemus suddenly appears from the sea, and the shepherds flee. When Polypheme finds Galatea alone in the sea, he makes a pass at her, and Galatea, knowing that she will get into trouble if she angers Polypheme, makes a gesture of obeying him. In the second act, Assis criticizes Galatea for her concern for Polypheam, but Galatea accepts Assis' wishes and agrees to marry Assis in the temple. When Polypheme appears again, Galatea says that if she wants to have him, she must get the consent of her father Nereus, so as not to offend him. The two then go to Nereus. In the temple of Act III, preparations are already underway for the wedding of Assis and Galatea.Realizing that he had been deceived, Polypheme becomes enraged and kills Assis with a rock. Galatea, seeing Assis' corpse, despairs and asks Neptune for help. Thanks to Neptune, Assis is reborn as a river and becomes united with Galatea. King International

Tracklisting:

1.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Ouverture
2.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Prelude: Qu'avec plaisir je reviens en ces lieux
3.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Premiere entree. Menuet
4.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Premier air. Deuxieme air
5.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Seconde entree. Marche
6.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Dans les jours de rejouissance
7.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Air
8.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Prelude: Apollon en ce jour
9.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Apollon flatte nos v?ux
10.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Air
11.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Menuet
12.Acis et Galatee, opera~Prologue: Reprise de l'ouverture
13.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 1. Prelude: C'est en vain qu'en ces lieux
14.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 2. Prelude: Vous n'etes pas le seul
15.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 3. Prelude: Faudra-t-il encore vous attendre
16.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 4. Ritournelle: J'ai cru trouver ici la nymphe
17.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 5: Quoi? m'arreterez-vous en depit de moi-meme?
18.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 5: Mais quels concerts se font entendre?
19.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 6: Que l'amour qui nous enchaine
20.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Premier air
21.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Que les plus galantes fetes
22.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Air
23.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Marche pour l'entree de Polypheme: Le fier Polypheme s'avance / Scene 7: Je regarde partout
24.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Scene 8: Que tardons-nous?
25.Acis et Galatee, opera~Acte Premier: Entracte (reprise de l'air)