Experience the historic and captivating opera "L'Aiglon" in its entirety with this complete recording, a collaboration between the renowned composers Arthur Honegger and Jacques Ibert. This live performance, captured during the North American premiere in March 2015, features the stunning soprano Anne-Catherine Gillet in the title role, accompanied by the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal under the direction of the acclaimed Kent Nagano.
"L'Aiglon" is a unique blend of operetta, historical pageant, and dramatic opera, composed in five acts. Honegger contributed acts 2, 3, and 4, while Jacques Ibert composed acts 1 and 5. The opera is based on Edmond Rostand's play and delves into the life of Napoléon II, known as the Duke of Reichstadt, and his complex legacy. This recording is the first complete version of the opera, offering a rich and unabridged experience that was previously unavailable.
The collaboration between Honegger and Ibert is evident in the diverse musical styles present in the opera. Honegger's contributions are marked by dissonances and elaborate brass writing, while Ibert's sections are characterized by their refined and svelte qualities. Together, they create a singular piece of work that is both historically significant and musically compelling.
This album is a testament to the revived partnership between the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and Decca Classics, a collaboration that has a storied history of producing award-winning recordings. The performance is a dream cast, with an entirely French or French-speaking ensemble bringing the opera to life with stunning sound quality.
Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this recording of "L'Aiglon" offers a rich and engaging experience. The opera's blend of historical drama, operetta, and musical innovation makes it a standout piece in the repertoire of both Honegger and Ibert.
L'Aiglon / Act 1: Les ailes qui s’ouvrent: Scenes 1-3 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Isaiah Bell, Etienne Dupuis, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Hélène Guilmette, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Marc Barrard, Pascal Charbonneau, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 1: Les ailes qui s’ouvrent: Scene 4 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Hélène Guilmette, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 1: Les ailes qui s’ouvrent: Scene 5 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Tyler Duncan, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 1: Les ailes qui s’ouvrent: Scene 6 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Etienne Dupuis, Philippe Sly, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 1: Les ailes qui s’ouvrent: Scene 7 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Marc Barrard, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Philippe Sly, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 1: Les ailes qui s’ouvrent: Scene 8 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Marc Barrard, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 2: Les ailes qui battent: Scene 1 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Marc Barrard, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 2: Les ailes qui battent: Scene 2 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Etienne Dupuis, Marc Barrard, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 2: Les ailes qui battent: Scene 3 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Marc Barrard, Etienne Dupuis, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 3: Les ailes meurtries: Scene 1 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Philippe Sly, Isaiah Bell, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 3: Les ailes meurtries: Ballet - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 3: Les ailes meurtries: Scene 2 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Hélène Guilmette, Philippe Sly, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 3: Les ailes meurtries: Scene 3 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Tyler Duncan, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 3: Les ailes meurtries: Scenes 4-5 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Etienne Dupuis, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Jean-Michel Richer, Julie Boulianne, Marc Barrard, Isaiah Bell, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 3: Les ailes meurtries: Scenes 6-7 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Julie Boulianne, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Kimy Mc Laren, Isaiah Bell, Marc Barrard, Pascal Charbonneau, Philippe Sly, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 4: Les ailes brisées: Scenes 1-4 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Marc Barrard, Philippe Sly, Kimy Mc Laren, Jean-Michel Richer, Choeur de l'Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
L'Aiglon / Act 5: Les ailes fermées: Scene 1 - LiveJacques Ibert, Arthur Honegger, Etienne Dupuis, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Hélène Guilmette, Tyler Duncan, Anne-Catherine Gillet, Pascal Charbonneau, Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano
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