Valery Gergiev - Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette (2016)

Released in the year of Shakespeare s 400th anniversary, Valery Gergiev and London Symphony Orchestra are joined by soloists Olga Borodina, Kenneth Tarver and Evgeny Nikitin for Berlioz' 'Roméo et Juliette', recorded live at the Barbican Hall in November 2013. Part of a major series of eight concerts, this work toured to venues in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and France. A large-scale symphonie dramatique , 'Roméo et Juliette' was the fruit of the composer s dual fascination with Shakespeare and with the actress Harriet Smithson, whom he was later to marry. Using the story of the star-crossed lovers as a starting point, Shakespeare s passion and drama is deftly portrayed through his music, as well as through the abundance of lyrical poetry, written by French poet Émile Deschamps. Grammy-award winning mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina is a star of the Mariinsky Theatre, regularly appearing at major opera houses and with great orchestras around the world. Borodina made her highly acclaimed European debut at Covent Garden, in 1992, sharing the stage with Plácido Domingo in 'Samson et Dalila' a performance that launched her international solo career as one of the most sought after mezzos for her repertoire. Kenneth Tarver is considered one of the outstanding tenore-di-grazia of his time. He has appeared at the most prestigious opera houses and concert halls around the world specialising in Mozart and challenging, oratorio repertoire. He has appeared on previous LSO Live recordings, notably 'Les Troyens' conducted by Sir Colin Davis. Bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin trained at the St Petersburg State Conservatory, graduating in 1997. He has been described as 'physically, vocally, a complete star' by The Independent. His first solo performances were with the Mariinsky Orchestra and have been followed by invitations to perform across the world. His discography includes other recordings with Valery Gergiev, including 'Parsifal' on the Mariinsky Label. Performance Reviews: 'Gergiev was in inspirational form and the LSO embraced his reading of Berlioz s Roméo et Juliette with skill and energy.' The Guardian **** 'It was on the wildest shores of Berlioz s music the frenzied depiction of the crowd descending on the lovers tomb and the brawl of the Capulets and Montagues that the Gergiev magic truly emerged.' The Observer **** 'Gergiev s reading was truly operatic… I left in little doubt that Gergiev and his orchestra are as fine a team of representatives as Berlioz could want' Bachtrack****

Tracklist:
01. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Première Partie: No. 1, Introduction, Combats - Tumulte - Intervention du Prince
02. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Première Partie: No. 1, Prologue, Récitatif Chorale "D'anciennes haines endormies"
03. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Première Partie: No. 1, Prologue, Strophes "Premiers transports que nul n'oublie!"
04. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Première Partie: No. 1, Prologue, Récitatif et Scherzetto "Bientôt de Roméo"
05. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Deuxième Partie: No. 2, Roméo seul - Tristesse - Bruit lointain de bal et de concert - Grande Fête chez Capulet
06. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Deuxième Partie: No. 3, Scène d'amour, Nuit sereine - Le Jardin de Capulet, silencieux et désert "Ohé! Capulets, bonsoir!"
07. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Deuxième Partie: No. 4, Scherzo, La Reine Mab, ou la Fée des Songes
08. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Troisième Partie: No. 5, Convoi funèbre de Juliette "Jetez des fleurs pour la vierge expirée!"
09. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Troisième Partie: No. 6, Roméo au tombeau des Capulets, Invocation - Réveil de Juliette
10. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Troisième Partie: No. 7, Final, La foule accourt au cimetière - Rixe des Capulets et des Montagus "Quoi! Roméo de retour" - Récitatif du Père Laurence "Je vais dévoiler le m
11. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Troisième Partie: No. 7, Final, Air du Père Laurence "Pauvres enfants que je pleure"
12. Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, Troisième Partie: No. 7, Final, Serment de réconciliation "Jurez donc, par l'auguste symbole"