'Grands Dieux' / 'Alceste' * Gluck * JANET BAKER * LIVE!

From 'Alceste': Act 1, Scene 2. Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, 12 December 1981. LYRICS TO FOLLOW SOON.

This opera was 1 of 3 (the others being Donizetti's 'Mary Stuart' at English National Opera and Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Euridice' at Glyndebourne) that Dame Janet Baker performed as a farewell to the operatic stage (altho' concert recitals continued for a few more years).

This is also the only recording that documents her singing this most demanding part--she sings almost throughout the entire evening, proof of her great stamina--and more than meets the dramatic exigencies of the role.

Alceste . . . Dame Janet Baker

Music by Christoph Willibald von Gluck
Libretto by Ranieri de' Calzabigi
The Royal Opera House Chorus
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Charles Mackerras, conductor

Royal Opera House Heritage Series

(Technically, this off-the-air recording could be better; there is audible audience coughing ['twas wintertime-flu season?].The sound seems to float randomly from one channel to the other. Some of Dame Janet's top notes sound a tad shrill, despite her secure technique--she doesn't sound this way in 'Mary Stuart' or 'Orfeo ed Euridice'.)

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CD set can be purchased at the following sites:

http://www.amazon.com/Christoph-Willibald-Gluck-Alceste/dp/B0013ND3AW/ref=sr_...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gluck-Covent-Garden-Royal-Orchestra/dp/B0013ND3AW/ref...

http://www.roh.org.uk/merchandise/display.aspx?id=556&showcase=174&ca...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Alceste
• Grands
• Dieux
• Christoph
• Willibald
• Gluck
• Janet
• Baker
• Charles
• Mackerras
• Royal
• Opera
• House
• Covent
• Garden

[Suz71bu]

I'm happy we did get this recording. It is a very demanding role.

[mariandelochs]

Me, too! I'm listening to it more closely, appreciating it further with every new listen. With Dame Janet, it never gets stale!

Finally got the book with Alcestis by Euripides...shall start reading my ca. 1908 translation very soon! LOL! (And thanks for the nudge!)

[Suz71bu]

I have the 1974 William Arrowsmith translation. He wrote some very interesting thoughts in the introduction. I think I got it sometime in the 80's.I just reread it and it has Admentos as the main focus , so that makes the opera that more meaningful . Alcestis now has a voice in the drama.