Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20: PréludeAlbert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 1: "Le Sultan des Mogols a passé la troisième porte" (Le Veilleur, Femmes du peuple, Une Femme, Un Guerrier, Gora, Un Marchand, Un Artisan, Chorus, Badal)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Hermina Laborde, Isabel Álvarez, Marian Etxeberria, Martine Mahé, Hugues Brambilla, Laurence Dale, Thierry Dran, Gérard Blatt, Henri Amiel, Marc Vento, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 1: "A, A ! ... Souverain d'un peuple florissant" (Chorus, Alaouddin, Ratan-Sen, Gora)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Nicolai Gedda, Marc Vento, José van Dam, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 1: "A voir ces guerriers bondir comme des tigres" (Alaouddin, Ratan-Sen)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Nicolai Gedda, José van Dam, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 1: "On croit voir tourner des pétales de roses" (Alaouddin, Ratan-Sen, Le Brahmane)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Charles Burles, Nicolai Gedda, José van Dam, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 1: "Ce sont les femmes du palais" (Alaouddin, Chorus, Ratan-Sen, Le Brahmane)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Charles Burles, Nicolai Gedda, José van Dam, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 1: "Elle monte au ciel où rêve le printemps" (Nakamti, Chorus, Alaouddin, Le Brahmane, Gora, Ratan-Sen, Un Guerrier, Un Artisan, Un Marchand, Badal, Un Veilleur)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Jane Berbié, Charles Burles, Hugues Brambilla, Laurence Dale, Nicolai Gedda, Thierry Dran, Gérard Blatt, Henri Amiel, Marc Vento, José van Dam, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 1: "Aux armes ... Il est trop tard" (Chorus, Padmâvatî)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Marilyn Horne, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 2: PréludeAlbert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 2: "Om ! Siva ... Siva, laisse ma voix" (Chorus, Padmâvatî, Un Prêtre)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Marilyn Horne, Jean-Jacques Cubaynes, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 2: "Padmâvatî !" (Ratan-Sen, Padmâvatî)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Marilyn Horne, Nicolai Gedda, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 2: "Ah ! ... Ô mes soeurs fidèles ... " (Les Femmes du palais, Padmâvatî, Chorus)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Marilyn Horne, Elena Perez, Martine Mahé, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 2: "Sur la pierre vivante, la vie !" (Chorus)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 2: Danse et pantomimeAlbert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Op. 18, L. 20, Act 2: "Dans la nuit flamboyante, la vie conduite par la Mort" (Chorus)Albert Roussel, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse
Immerse yourself in the rich, exotic world of Albert Roussel's "Padmavati," a captivating opéra-ballet that blends the grandeur of opera with the enchantment of ballet. Composed between 1913 and 1918, this two-act masterpiece is based on the legendary tale of Padmavati, a story of love, sacrifice, and cultural richness. Roussel's inspiration drew from his visit to the historic ruins of Chitoor in Rajputana, India, infusing the score with vibrant, colorful orchestration and intricate choral arrangements that transport the audience to another time and place.
"Padmavati" is a testament to Roussel's unique compositional style, seamlessly integrating Hindu scales and Eastern influences into a Western musical framework. The opera features a large orchestra and chorus, with as much instrumental and choral music as solo singing, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both dramatic and lyrical. The libretto, penned by Louis Laloy, is based on Théodore-Marie Pavie's retelling of the legend from Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic poem "Padmavat."
This 1988 recording, conducted by Michel Plasson and performed by the Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse, brings Roussel's opéra-ballet to life with stunning clarity and depth. The album spans over an hour and forty-three minutes, offering a comprehensive journey through the opera's two acts and fifteen tracks. From the stirring preludes to the dramatic arias and the enchanting dance and pantomime sequences, each moment is crafted with Roussel's signature neoclassical flair and chamber music precision.
Whether you are a seasoned fan of Roussel's work or a newcomer to his compositions, "Padmavati" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. The album's detailed orchestration, intricate vocal arrangements, and cultural depth make it a standout piece in the classical music canon.
Albert Roussel, born in 1869 in Tourcoing, France, was a composer whose musical journey was as unique as his eclectic influences. Initially drawn to mathematics and the sea, Roussel spent seven formative years as a midshipman, sailing to Southeast Asia and absorbing the exotic cultures that would later inspire his compositions. It was only in his late twenties that he turned his full attention to music, studying under the renowned Vincent d'Indy at the Schola Cantorum de Paris. Roussel's early works bear the impressionistic touch of Debussy and Ravel, but he soon forged his own path, embracing neoclassicism and developing a personal style marked by lyrical passion, technical austerity, and harmonic innovation.
Throughout his career, Roussel composed a diverse range of works, including ballets, symphonies, chamber music, and songs, often drawing on exotic and mythological themes. His compositions, such as the evocative "Évocation" and the dramatic "Bacchus et Ariane," showcase his ability to blend vivid orchestration with structural rigor. Roussel's influence extended beyond his compositions; he also taught notable students like Erik Satie and Edgard Varèse. Despite starting his musical career later in life, Roussel's unique voice and innovative spirit made him one of the most original and influential French composers of the interwar period.
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Albert Roussel
