Giacomo Meyerbeer - Les Huguenots - "O beau pays" (Joan Sutherland)

The role of Marguerite de Valois in Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots" isn't exactly as rewarding as it is sometimes described. Basically, she appears exclusively in Act 2 or in three full numbers: a cavatina, a duet and the finale to the act. She also appears in Act 3 but only in Act 2 does the Queen have any kind of prominence. Moreover, the music for the smallish part is extremely difficult (her cavatina is crowned by a short but brutally difficult vocally cabaletta) and does require incredible stamina (her cavatina, here shortened to a mere 5+ minutes, is actually a very long, 12-minute grand scene: the present rendition loses the repeat of the cantabile section, as well as the chorus interjections). And we haven't even got passed the aria yet! So, all in all, a virtuoso comprimario part. Thankfully, the music is quite delightful, if not particularly inspired. The aria itself follows the tradition of, basically, the kind of arias that the great comedian Anna Russell called the "the clear white o' nymphs and shepherd style": the virtuoso writing details Marguerite's pleasure at seeing the beauty of Chenonceaux's gardens.

The present rendition is sung by Joan Sutherland who made quite an impact in this role at La Scala at the beginning of her stardom. Though there have been many famous Marguerites in the 20 century, Sutherland seems to be one of the few who can manage the whole aria: for example, between 4:29 - 4:38 we get several roulandes which, as far as I understand, must be sung on one breath. Quite a feat, and some sopranos have cut a few of them to avoid any unpleasant results. Sutherland manages everything quite admirably and without any obvious strain. Enjoy :)!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Joan
• Sutherland
• Meyerbeer
• Les
• Huguenots

[Hako2004]

I adore Meyerbeer....so under-rated and often over-looked.

[ChaudeB]

my godness, this is perfect!!!! throw all netrebkos and machaidzes away!!!

[cogidubnus1953]

Stunning...

[eclecticdufus]

@MaestroTJS There's an early letter Wagner wrote about going to Italy and then France and having great success in both countries suggesting that Wagner would have liked to have the kind of career Meyerbeer had and was indeed jealous. Wagner did have good things to say about Halevy. But even Wagner admired Act 4 of Huguenots as did Verdi. One of the greatest acts in 19th century opera.

[gspaulsson]

@andreaprodan you're joking, right? Meyerbeer died in 1864.

[FreeVonHelton]

Wagner may be right after all.

[MrAlpixoid]

both of the top comments have 10 likes.

[MaestroTJS]

@paulostroff99 That is a very simplistic explanation for Wagner's hatred of Meyerbeer. It goes far deeper than him simply being Jewish. (Wagner had Jewish friends like Hermann Levi.) Wagner may have been jealous of M's ENORMOUS success and wealth because he felt the music was so bad and cynically written (i.e., for the purpose of making money). It smacks more of the usual "true artist" despising the charlatan and the success the charlatan achieves and what the charlatan represents.

[petelovesbevsills]

@bayreuth79 Was he the nice man that took all of the fun, laughter and joy out of opera? He was a real charmer especially as he insisted that his audience listen to his music in the dark. Viva twittering!

[maestrograham]

I am so looking to the new production at La Monnaie in June. Coming all the way from South Africa to see it and other productions around Europe.

[bayreuth79]

There is nothing worse than this kind of "operatic" twittering! The only serious composer for the stage was Richard Wagner.