Berlioz - Les Troyens (Opera de Paris) (320kbps .mp3)

Berlioz's masterpiece inspired by Virgil's epic poem The Aeneid: Les Troyens, from the Opéra National de Paris, recorded in January. Ekaterina Semenchuk is Dido, Brandon Javanovich is Enee. Philippe Jordan conducts the opera orchestra and chorus.

Kate Molleson presents.

Cassandre.....Stéphanie d'Oustrac (mezzo-soprano)
Ascagne.....Michèle Losier (soprano)
Hécube.....Véronique Gens (soprano)
Énee.....Brandon Javanovich (tenor)
Chorèbe.....Stéphane Degout (baritone)
Panthée.....Christian Helmer,(bass)
L'ombre d'Hector.....Thomas Dear (bass)
Priam.....Paata Burchuladze (bass)
A Greek Chieftain.....Jean-Luc Ballestra (bass)
Helenus.....Jean-François Marras (tenor)
Polyxène.....Sophie Claisse (soprano)
Didon.....Ekaterina Semenchuk (mezzo-soprano)

Paris National Opera Chorus
José Luís Basso (chorus director)
Paris Opera Orchestra
Philippe Jordan (conductor)


Broadcast: 16 March 2019, BBC Radio 3
With commentary @80kbps .mp3 and a selection of images from the production. (Photo credit: Vincent Pontet)



Synopsis
PART ONE :THE CAPTURE OF TROY

ACT I

First tableau

Before the city walls, the Trojans celebrate the retreat of the Greeks and look on in wonder at the Wooden Horse which their enemies have left behind as a gift. Only Cassandre senses a ruse on the part of the Greeks and warns her fellow citizens. However, even her fiancé Chorèbe refuses to believe her. Although she advises him to flee, he prefers to celebrate the victory with her.

Second tableau

The people of Troy gather in the presence of the royal couple Priam and Hécube. Everyone shares the grief of Andromaque, Hector’s widow, and mourn the tragic death of the priest Laocoon. King Priam and Énée decide to bring the Wooden Horse into the city to avoid invoking the wrath of the gods. Cassandre watches on as her baneful premonition come to pass.



ACT II

First tableau

Énée is asleep, exhausted by the combat. Outside we hear the sounds of the continuing battle. Ascagne brings a torch to his father but dares not awaken him. Drawn from his slumber by the glow, Énée sees Hector’s ghost. The latter orders Énée to abandon Troy and establish a new empire. Énée agrees to comply. His fellow soldiers announce the fall of Troy, however Énée calls on the last Trojans to fight.

Second tableau

A few Trojan women have found refuge in a temple and are imploring the protection of the gods. Cassandre wishes to die in order to follow her beloved Chorèbe who has fallen on the battlefield. The women ask for her advice. Cassandre offers them a stark choice: suicide or slavery. When the Greeks storm into the temple, Cassandre and the Trojan women mark the Greek victory by committing suicide.



PART TWO :THE TROJANS IN CARTHAGE

ACT III

The people of Carthage sing the praises of their young queen. Didon thanks her people for their faithfulness and for the work accomplished over the last seven years since the founding of the city of Carthage. At the same time, she warns of the danger posed by her suitor, the Numidian king Iarbas. Anna is eager to convince her sister to end her period of mourning in memory of her husband, Sichée and, instead, to find a new king for Carthage. However, Didon remains steadfastly faithful to Sichée and swears never to love another man. Iopas, the court poet, brings news that a foreign fleet has reached the shores of Carthage. Didon summons the strangers. Ascagne asks her to grant asylum to the Trojans. Narbal, Didon’s minister, suddenly appears and reports that Iarbas and his troops have entered Carthage. Énée offers Didon his aid and support. Together, and under his command, the Trojans and the Carthaginians leave to do battle with the invader Iarbas.

ACT IV

First tableau (pantomime)

A storm erupts during a royal hunt. Didon and Énée take refuge in a cave.



Second tableau

The war against Iarbas has long been won. Narbal expresses his concern regarding the Trojans’ extended stay in Carthage which has made Didon neglect her stately duties. Meanwhile, with peace now at hand, Anna is as eager as ever for Didon to marry Énée. Didon is shattered by news that Andromaque has forsaken her fidelity to Hector and finally married his enemy and the author of all her woes. Énée chases away the queen’s last hesitations. In the giddy euphoria of a magical night, the couple give free reign to their feelings in a tender duet.

ACT V

First tableau

A Trojan sailor sings a nostalgic refrain about his homeland. The voices of the dead once again urge the Trojans to set out for Italy. Énée arrives with his son and shares his dilemma with the latter: to stay or to go. After the ghosts of Priam, Chorèbe, Hector and Cassandre appear before him and remind him of his sworn duty, he finally decides to set sail for Italy and not even Didon’s despair can hold him back

Second tableau

Didon sends her sister and Narbal to meet with the Trojans to try and convince Énée to postpone his departure, however, Iopas brings news that the Trojan fleet has already set sail. Didon orders Narbal to erect a pyre to burn away all memory of Énée. Left alone, the queen bids farewell to love, life, and Carthage.



Third tableau

The people build the pyre for their queen. Didon suddenly appears and announces to her people that her wish is to die before their eyes, but not before having sworn vengeance. In the throes of death, Didon stands up one last time and prophesises the destruction of Carthage to her people. Horrified and riven with hate, the people, swear eternal vengeance against Énée, the Trojans and the future Rome.