Véronique Gens and Sandrine Piau, two esteemed sopranos, join forces in their captivating album 'Rivales', a tribute to the legendary rivalry between two late 18th-century French sopranos. This enchanting recording, released on 1 April 2022 under the Alpha Classics label, showcases the duo's sublime vocal prowess as they delve into the realm of French opera and opéra-comique.
Accompanied by the talented Le Concert de la Loge, led by the skilled violinist and director Julien Chauvin, Gens and Piau bring to life a selection of exquisite arias and duos from renowned composers such as Monsigny, Edelmann, JC Bach, Gluck, and Cherubini. The album's 11 tracks, including 'La Belle Arsène: Aria. "Où suis-je ?…"' and 'Ariane dans l'isle de Naxos: Scene. "Mais Thésée est absent…"', demonstrate the sopranos' impressive technical ability and expressive range.
With a duration of 1 hour and 3 minutes, 'Rivales' is a masterful blend of classical and opera genres, featuring intricate musical arrangements and poignant storytelling. The album is a testament to the long-standing rapport between Gens and Piau, who have been thrilling audiences for over 40 years with their luminous voices and nuanced performances. 'Rivales' is an unforgettable listening experience, one that will leave you in awe of the vocal artistry and musical excellence on display.
2022 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France2022 Les Idées heureuses & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France
Tracks
La Belle Arsène: Aria. "Où suis-je ?…"Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny, Sandrine Piau, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
Ariane dans l'isle de Naxos: Scene. "Mais Thésée est absent…"Jean-Frédéric Edelmann, Véronique Gens, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
La Clemenza di Scipione, Op. 14: Duo "Me infelice che intendo…"Johann Christian Bach, Véronique Gens, Sandrine Piau, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
La Clemenza di Tito, Wq. 16: Aria. "Se mai senti…"Christoph Willibald Gluck, Sandrine Piau, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
Alceste, Wq. 44: Aria. "Divinités du Styx…"Christoph Willibald Gluck, Véronique Gens, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
Fanny Morna, ou l'Écossaise: Aria. "Ô divinité tutélaire…"Louis-Luc Loiseau de Persuis, Sandrine Piau, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
L'Embarras des richesses: Aria. "Dès notre enfance unis tous deux…"André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Véronique Gens, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
Démophon: Scène. "Un moment à l’autel…"Luigi Cherubini, Véronique Gens, Sandrine Piau, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
Renaud: Aria. "Barbare Amour, tyran des cœurs…"Antonio Sacchini, Véronique Gens, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
Aucassin et Nicolette, ou Les mœurs du bon vieux tems: Aria. "Cher objet de ma pensée…"André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, Sandrine Piau, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin
Camille, ou Le souterrain: Duo. "Ciel protecteur des malheureux…"Nicolas Dalayrac, Véronique Gens, Sandrine Piau, Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin