Massenet: Don César de Bazan (1888 Version)

"... this is a highly enjoyable outing for Massenet's early opera ..."

Nominee in Opera Category

"... The soprano Elsa Dreisig, as the Gypsy street-singer Maritana, is a real find. I would love to hear her sing other roles, serious as well as comic. The recording is excellent, with superb balance between voices and small orchestra. Everything is clearly audible…"
 

"It’s all very well done by Les Frivolités Parisiennes. The best-known singer is Laurent Naouri, who brings a wealth of experience to the title-role. Don José doesn’t get a solo number but Christian Helmer more than holds his own in the duet with Don César. As King Charles II, Thomas Bettinger sings his Act 3 cavatine so winningly that it’s a shame he’s deprived of his further avowal of love in Act 4. The women are even better. Elsa Dreisig expresses Maritana’s loneliness and yearning in a beautifully phrased Romance, ‘Je sais qu’il est une âme’; the boy Lazarille is sung by Marion Lebègue, whose rich mezzo, after a tender lullaby and a supplicatory Romance, is a perfect match for Dreisig’s soprano in the duo nocturne. Massenet’s scoring gives special opportunities to the cor anglais, clarinet and horn. Mathieu Romano is the conductor of this lively performance, which at bargain price is certainly worth investigation and, indeed, investment."

“… Laurent Naouri is an absolute delight as Don César. He finds a gentle swagger that is just right for his character. His vocal resources are undiminished as he gives a memorable lesson in the French style of vocal acting. His arias are beautifully executed, and one could easily listen to him for hours to revel in the clear and perfect French pronunciation. This is an admirable portrayal in every respect. Elsa Dreisig as Maritana has a soprano voice of pure crystal with diamond-like precision in her coloratura passages. She is equally gifted at the more poetic arias such as the gorgeous romance she sings in Act Three.Thomas Bettinger is the amorous King Charles II. His tenor demonstrates a bright and forwardly placed tone … Manon Lebègue is a charming Lazarille: her polished mahogany tone is an asset in pieces like her Act Two berceuse (CD 1, track 8). Thankfully Massenet provided Lazarille with several attractive pieces to sing. Christian Helmer sings the role of King’s minister Don José with a lovely hazelnut timbre that makes a perfect contrast to the more citrus infused tone of Naouri. Their Act Two duet is truly memorable and a superb example of a French buffo style that can be found in works such as Meyerbeer’s Dinorah. The orchestra and chorus are well disciplined and handled with appropriate style by conductor Mathieu Romano…”

Performance ***     Recording ****

“… Vocally, Elsa Dresig’s neat, precise Martiana and Marion Lebègue’s purposeful Lazarille (who is given a very pretty lullaby) represent the best of a recommendable account based on solid choral and orchestral foundations, all overseen by a conductor whose enthusiasm proves infections.”

"...A nicely engineered, well balanced recording of a work that is surprising, appealing, and thoroughly recommendable. The veteran French baritone Laurent Naouri is a deliciously characterful Don César combining a warm lyricism with a natural affinity for opéra bouffe. Elsa Dreisig’s light, flexible soprano is spot on as the gypsy Maritana with mezzo Marion Lebègue warm and firmly projected as the boy Lazarille (a role in the grand tradition of French trouser roles). The Orchestre des Frivolités Parisiennes delivers the goods thanks to the firm hand of Mathieu Romano who ensures that it all fizzes along splendidly. … A nicely engineered, well balanced recording of a work that is surprising, appealing, and thoroughly recommendable." ****½
 

"…this work does justice to Massenet’s light and virtuosic orchestration. Mathieu Romano conducts with probity and a sense of colour from the committed Orchestre des Frivolités Parisiennes. The cast is the other strong point of this recording. This world premiere recording is a success! Recommended!"
 

“… Massenet wrote a hearty, powerful music on this libretto, with magnificent ensembles, brilliant choirs and many good and imaginatively composed arias. With his still good voice, baritone Laurent Naouri sings the title role. He can give the César a lot of profile and succeeds in the serious as well as in the comic. With her warm yet virtuoso voice, Elsa Dreisig is an ideal cast for the street singer Maritana, while Marion Lebègue shines in the trouser role of Lazarille. The other roles are also well cast. Mathieu Romano inspires the Orchestre des Frivolités Parisiennes and the vocal ensemble Aedes to quite excellent performances, so that the revival of this opera happened under the best musical conditions.” *****