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Storming the Operatic Battlements

Donald Macleod investigates Saint-Saens's determination to fulfil his ultimate ambition to be recognised as an operatic composer.

Donald Macleod investigates Saint-Saëns' determination to fulfil his ultimate ambition to be recognised as an operatic composer. There were plenty of obstacles along the way. His first venture into serious opera failed when the production was shelved due to the bankruptcy of the theatre director. The next had a happier outcome as Liszt agreed to premiere it at his opera house in Weimar, but Saint-Saëns had to wait 15 years before it received its first performance in Paris. Of the 13 operas Saint-Saëns composed just one has stood the test of time, though many of them would prove to be hugely successful in his lifetime and contribute to his reputation as a globally successful composer.

La Princesse Jaune: Overture
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor

O Cruel Souvenir (Henry VIII)
Veronique Gens, soprano
Les Talens Lyriques
Christophe Rousset, conductor

Samson et Dalila: Act II (excerpt)
Placido Domingo, tenor (Samson)
Waltraud Meier, soprano (Dalila)
Orchestra of the Opéra Bastille
Myung-Whun Chung, conductor

Bacchanale (Samson et Dalila)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor

Proserpine: Act II (excerpt)
Frédèric Antoun, tenor (Sabatino)
Marie-Adeline Henry, soprano (Angiola)
Jean Teitgen, bass (Renzo)
Andrew Foster-Williams, baritone (Squarocca)
Flemish Radio Choir
Munich Radio Orchestra
Ulf Schirmer, conductor

Produced by Deborah Preston for ѿý Wales

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    La Princesse Jaune: Overture

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • CHANDOS : CHSA5104.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 7.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Henry VIII: Act 4, Tableau 2 'O cruel souvenir'

    Singer: Véronique Gens. Ensemble: Les Talens Lyriques. Conductor: Christophe Rousset.
    • Erato 0709272.
    • Erato.
    • 10.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Samson et Dalila: 'Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix' (Act II Scene 3)

    Singer: Plácido Domingo. Singer: Waltraud Meier. Orchestra: Bastille Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Myung-Whun Chung.
    • EMI CDC 754470-2.
    • EMI.
    • 10.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Samson et Dalila: 'Bacchanale' (Act III Scene 2)

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • CHANDOS : CHSA5104.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 1.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Proserpine: Air de Sabatino (Act II)

    Singer: Frédéric Antoun. Singer: Marie‐Adeline Henry. Singer: Jean Teitgen. Singer: Andrew Foster-Williams. Choir: Belgian Radio Choir. Orchestra: Munich Radio Orchestra. Conductor: Ulf Schirmer.
    • Ediciones Singulares ES1027.
    • Ediciones Singulares.
    • 16.

Broadcast

  • Thu 6 Dec 2018 12:00

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