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Editorial Reviews

The packaging for this recording, though handsomely produced, gives a perplexing impression of the content of the CDs. The album's title (in French) is Philémon et Baucis, though there is no reference to that title in the extensive program notes, which focus exclusively on a work called "Le Feste d'Apollo." In fact, "Le Feste d'Apollo," premiered in 1769, consisted of a prologue and three unrelated short acts, each a self-contained opera, with texts by four different Italian poets. This CD set includes two of those operas, "Aristeo" and "Bauci e Filemone," the third opera being an early version of "Orfeo ed Eurydice" written in 1762, 12 years before the definitive French version of Gluck's masterpiece.

The works themselves are enchanting, full of propulsive energy, deeply expressive vocal writing, and inventive orchestral details. It's easy to see, though, why they're not more frequently performed, given the outrageous vocal demands they make of the soloists. The singers here are more than equal to the task. In particular, Danish soprano Dithe Anderson gives a jaw-droppingly virtuosic performance. She sings with sweet, secure tone and flawless intonation and technique, and when she soars into the stratosphere in "Nocchier che in mezzo all'onde," and " Il mio pastor tu sei," well, there is little to do but sit back in amazement. She is equally effective in her expressive and urgent delivery of the recitatives. Though her roles are the most vocally spectacular and attention grabbing, the other performers are no less proficient. Mezzo-sopranos Ann Hallenberg and Marie Lenormand and tenor Magnus Staveland, it must be said, also sing with sweet, secure tones, and flawless intonation and technique, making this an extraordinary ensemble. Christophe Rousset leads the ensemble Les Talens Lyriques and the Choeur de chamber de Namur with sensitivity and verve, creating palpable musical and dramatic excitement. Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

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