Les Argonautes, Jonas Descotte
AP296 - 1CD - 73' - Sep 30, 2022
The circumstances of the composition of Purcell’s only opera, Dido and Æneas, are unclear. First performed in the 1680s, it received few performances in the composer’s lifetime, before disappearing until its revival at the very end of the nineteenth century. This miniature, poetic, dramatic, delightfully melodic, and containing some unforgettably beautiful vocal pieces (Dido’s “Lament”, the Witches’ songs…) has enjoyed great success ever since.
Jonas Descotte and his young ensemble Les Argonautes (named after the heroes who accompanied Jason in the quest for the Golden Fleece) have chosen this work for their recording debut. Taking the intimate approach, one musician per part, the conductor sculpts his sound material in order to capture the very essence of the work’s musical and dramatic content, sublimated here by an attractive vocal cast, in which Camille Allérat, Renato Dolcini, Anthea Pichanick and Julie Roset are particularly outstanding. Between historical practice and modernity, the conductor, in perfect symbiosis with his musicians, delivers here a highly polished and intense interpretation, swept by the winds of freedom.
HENRY PURCELL
DIDO & ÆNEAS Z.626 in a prologue and three acts
Libretto by Nahum Tate
1. Overture
Act 1
2. The Palace. Shake the cloud from off your brow (Belinda)
3. Scene: The Palace. Banish Sorrow, banish care (Chorus)
4. Scene: The Palace. Ah! Belinda, I am press’d with torment (Dido)
5. Scene: The Palace. Grief increases by concealing (Belinda, Dido)
6. Scene: The Palace. When monarchs unite, how happy their state (Chorus)
7. Scene: The Palace. Whence could so much virtue spring? (Dido, Belinda)
8. Scene: The Palace. Fear no danger to ensue (Belinda, Second Woman, Chorus)
9. Scene: The Palace. See, your Royal Guest appears (Belinda, Æneas, Dido)
10. Scene: The Palace. Cupid only throws the dart (Chorus)
11. Scene: The Palace. If not for mine, for Empire’s sake (Æneas, Belinda)
12. Scene: The Palace. To the hills and the vales (Chorus)
13. Scene: The Palace. The Triumphing Dance
Act 2
14. Scene 1: The Cave. Prelude for the Witches. Wayward sisters, you that fright (Sorceress). Harm’s our delight (Chorus)
15. Scene 1: The Cave. The Queen of Carthage, whom we hate (Sorceress). Ho, ho, ho (Chorus)
16. Scene 1: The Cave. Ruin’d ere the set of sun? (Two Witches, Sorceress). Ho, ho, ho (Chorus)
17. Scene 1: The Cave. But ere we this perform (Two Witches)
18. Scene 1: The Cave. In our deep vaulted cell (Chorus)
19. Scene 1: The Cave. Echo Dance of the Furies
20. Scene 2: The Grove. Ritornelle
21. Scene 2: The Grove. Thanks to these lonesome vales (Belinda, Chorus)
22. Scene 2: The Grove. Oft she visits this lone mountain (Second Woman)
23. Scene 2: The Grove. Behold, upon my bending spear (Æneas, Dido)
24. Scene 2: The Grove. Haste, haste to town (Belinda, Chorus)
25. Scene 2: The Grove. Stay, Prince, and hear Great Jove’s command (Spirit, Æneas)
Act 3
26. Scene 1: The Ships. Come away fellow Sailors (First Sailor, Chorus)
27. Scene 1: The Ships. The Sailors’ Dance
28. Scene 1: The Ships. See the flags and streamers curling (Sorceress, Two Witches)
29. Scene 1: The Ships. Our next motion (Sorceress)
30. Scene 1: The Ships. Destruction’s our delight (Chorus)
31. Scene 1: The Ships. The Witches’ Dance
32. Scene 2. Your counsel all is urg’d in vain (Dido, Belinda, Æneas)
33. Scene 2. But Death, alas! I cannot shun (Dido)
34. Scene 2. Great minds against themselves conspire (Chorus)
35. Scene 2. Thy hand Belinda; Darkness shades me (Dido)
36. Scene 2. When I am laid in earth (Dido)
37. Scene 2. With drooping wings (Chorus)
CIRCE Z.575
Incidental music to a piece by Charles Davenant
38. We must assemble by a sacrifice (Second Priest, Chorus)
39. Their necessary aid you use (First, Second and Third Priests)
40. The air, with music gently wound (Second Priest, Third Priest)
41. The air, with music gently wound (Chorus)
42. Come every demon (First Priest)
43. Circe, the daughter of the Sun obey (Chorus)
44. You who hatch factions (First Priest)
45. Circe the daughter of the Sun obey (Chorus)
46. Magicians’ Dance (part 1)
47. Pluto, arise! (Second Priest)
48. Magicians’ Dance (part 2)
49. Lovers, who to their first embraces go (First and Second Women, Chorus)
50. Great minister of Fate (Chorus) · At your dread word (Second Woman)
51. Great minister of Fate (Chorus)
