Credits:

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Bernard Haitink

Description:

The true value of the most popular composer after Lully's death! The world of French opera was by no means barren for about half a century after the death of Lully, the royal music director beloved by the Sun King Louis XIV, who died in a tragic accident in 1687, until Rameau's shocking debut in 1733 with "Ippolito et Arisi. On the contrary, while Marin Marais and Campra wrote notable masterpieces from time to time, other notable composers were also making a name for themselves. Demaret, in particular, was early noted for his ability to match that of his contemporary de Lalande, who had emerged in the field of worship music, and had he not been denounced by his lover's father and forced to leave France in 1699, he might have achieved the same level of fame as Campra, who was one year older than Demaret. In fact, even after being forced to flee his country, he continued to be a valued member of the royal family of Spain and the court of the Duke of Lorraine, but it was not until the 21st century that a complete recording of his operas was finally made. The recording of "Sylcé" from 1694, while still in France, is a masterpiece in which Lully's style of lyric tragedy was perfectly mastered, and a complete recording of the entire work is long overdue.The five-part string orchestra, including three large and three small viola parts in the French court style, is joined by a basso continuo consisting of plucked strings, rubbing strings, and keyboard, all of which use a variety of tones. The full chorus, with 22 singers, is reminiscent of the opulent musical life of the French court. Famous singers such as Jansons and Vidal sang Demaret's melodies filled with deep emotional expression in a vivid manner, and the brilliant conductor Délan, who leads the talented lineup of instrumentalists, is truly exquisite. This is a remarkable release that will surely lead to further rediscoveries of Demaret in the future. Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Circe~Prologue: Ouverture
2.Circe~Prologue: Scene 1: Prelude: Fuyons, fuyons une guerre sanglante
3.Circe~Prologue: Scene 2: Prelude pour la Nymphe de la Seine
4.Circe~Prologue: Scene 2: Lorsqu'il remet le soin de sa vengeance
5.Circe~Prologue: Scene 2: Air pour les Jeux et les Plaisirs, 1er & 2eme Menuet pour les Nymphes de la suite de la Seine, Gigue, 1ere & 2eme Bourrees, Gavotte
6.Circe~Acte I: Scene 1: Prelude: Ah que l'amour aurait de charmes...
7.Circe~Acte I: Scene 1: Vous ne pouvez, sans injustice
8.Circe~Acte I: Scene 2: Prelude: Prince, vous connaissez jusqu'ou va ma tendresse
9.Circe~Acte I: Scene 3: Prelude pour les Grecs: Votre amitie s'interesse
10.Circe~Acte I: Scene 3: Prince, ne craignez rien, la crainte est inutile
11.Circe~Acte I: Scene 4: Air lentement, Sarabande, Canarie
12.Circe~Acte I: Scene 5: Prelude: Vous verrai-je toujours insensible et cruelle?
13.Circe~Acte I: Scene 6: L'inhumaine me fuit
14.Circe~Acte II: Scene 1: Prelude: Ah c'est trop retenir mes pleurs
15.Circe~Acte II: Scene 2: Venez-vous de l'Amour implorer la puissance?
16.Circe~Acte II: Scene 3: Ritournelle: Quoi! Vous n'avez rien a me dire?
17.Circe~Acte II: Scene 4: Faudra-t-il toujours me contraindre?
18.Circe~Acte II: Scene 5: Savez-vous, Elphenor, quel est notre bonheur?
19.Circe~Acte II: Scene 6: Prelude: Rendez hommage a l'Amour
20.Circe~Acte II: Scene 7: Approchez-vous, heureux mortels
21.Circe~Acte II: Scene 8: Je recois votre hommage
22.Circe~Acte II: Scene 9: Ritournelle: Enfin, nous n'avons plus de temoins que l'Amour
23.Circe~Acte V: Scene 2: Prelude: Dieux! Le cruel m'abandonne
24.Circe~Acte V: Scene 3: Enfin le juste Ciel a comble nos desirs
25.Circe~Acte V: Scene 4: Ritournelle: Que ne vous dois-je pas, adorable Eolie?
26.Circe~Acte V: Scene 5: Prelude: De la fille d'Eolie, il faut combler les v?ux
27.Circe~Acte V: Scene 6: O rage! O douleur mortelle!
28.Circe~Acte V: Scene 7: ah! Quelle rigueur extreme