Massenet: La Navarraise (Sony Classical Opera)

Sony Classical announces a further batch of complete recordings from the CBS/Sony and RCA Victor catalogues. The newest installment of this popular series features some unusual repertoire as well as documents of the New York Metropolitan Opera in its postwar heyday. French opera is represented by a rarity, the first recording of Massenets La Navarraise, which has been described as a cross between Carmen and Cavalleria rusticana. Written as a response to the success of Mascagnis opera, it actually surpasses its model in musical quality. In the title role of this 1975 performance, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antonio de Almeida, the beloved soprano Lucia Popp gives a remarkable performance urgent and intense (Gramophone). At the very end, when in the face of the heros death, her mind snaps and demented laughter begins, she is spine-chilling. In its way the result is as powerful as the close of Tosca, which musically it resembles in the final bars. Alain Vanzo, one of the most satisfying of French tenors does very well by the hero. The orchestra plainly relishes every detail of the score, and the recording does full justice to the finesse of Massenets brilliant orchestration.