Piotr Beczala, one of the world's most celebrated tenors, presents "The French Collection," his debut solo operatic album with Deutsche Grammophon. This exquisite collection showcases Beczala's remarkable vocal prowess through a selection of beloved arias deeply rooted in French opera. The album features works by some of the most renowned composers in the genre, including Bizet, Berlioz, Massenet, Gounod, and Verdi. Each track is a testament to Beczala's artistry, offering a rich and diverse exploration of the romantic French repertoire.
From the haunting beauty of "Werther" by Massenet to the passionate intensity of "Carmen" by Bizet, "The French Collection" spans a wide range of operatic masterpieces. Highlights include the poignant "Ange si pur" from "La favorite" and the dramatic "Fontainebleau! Forêt immense et solitaire!" from "Don Carlos." Beczala's powerful and nuanced performances bring these arias to life, making this album a standout in his discography.
Recorded with Deutsche Grammophon, "The French Collection" is a testament to Beczala's versatility and mastery of the operatic form. The album, released on February 13, 2015, is a must-listen for opera enthusiasts and fans of classical music alike. With a duration of just over an hour, it offers a captivating journey through some of the most iconic arias in French opera, performed by one of the most esteemed tenors of our time.
Werther / Act III: "Toute mon âme est là! Pourquoi me réveiller"Jules Massenet, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Le Cid / Act III: "Ah! Tout est bien fini! … Ô Souverain, ô juge, ô père"Jules Massenet, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24 / Part 3: "Merci, doux crépuscule!"Hector Berlioz, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Béatrice et Bénédict / Act I: "Ah! Je vais l'aimer"Hector Berlioz, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Don Carlos / Act I: "Fontainebleau! Forêt immense et solitaire! … Je l’ai vue, et dans son sourire"Giuseppe Verdi, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
La Dame blanche / Act II: "Maintenant, observons … Viens, gentille dame"François-Adrien Boieldieu, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
La favorite / Act IV: "Ange si pur"Gaetano Donizetti, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Roméo et Juliette / Act III: "L'amour! L'amour! ... Ah! Lève-toi, soleil!"Charles Gounod, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Faust, CG 4 / Act III: "Salut! Demeure chaste et pure"Charles Gounod, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Carmen / Act II: "La fleur que tu m'avais jetée"Georges Bizet, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Dom Sébastien, Roi de Portugal / Act II: "Seul sur la terre … Ange céleste"Gaetano Donizetti, Piotr Beczala, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu
Manon / Act V: "Toi! Vous! Oui, c’est moi … N'est-ce plus ma main"Jules Massenet, Piotr Beczala, Diana Damrau, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Alain Altinoglu