Notes and Editorial Reviews
August 13, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Jules Massenet (born 12 May 1842).
Massenet is best-known for his operas and this set contains his two most famous - Manon and Werther as well as rarer works which owe their modern revivals and recordings during the 1970s to the advocacy of Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge.
Richard Bonynge has been a lifelong champion of Massenet and his reference-status recordings of the ballets are included as an integral element in this edition. He also features as an accompanist to Huguette Tourangeau in a widely-admired but long out of print recording of a selection of Massenet Songs.
The 140-page booklet includes full cast lists of the operas and
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detailed track lists.
Opera critc and writer George Hall has written an article on Massenet's life and works.
Richard Bonynge also contributes a personal note on his discovery and love of Massenet's music.
A CD-ROM contains the opera libretti and Song texts with translations.
This comprehensive 23-CD set with a wealth of glorious music is a must for all Massenet fans and lovers of French music alike.
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Works on This Recording
1.
Don Quichotte by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Régine Crespin (Soprano),
Gabriel Bacquier (Bass),
Michèle Command (Soprano),
Nicolai Ghiaurov (Bass)
Conductor:
Kazimierz Kord
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Suisse Romande Radio Chorus,
Suisse Romande Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1910; France
Language: French
2.
Suite for Orchestra no 7 "Scènes alsaciennes" by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1882; France
3.
Esclarmonde by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Robert Lloyd (Bass),
Graham Clark (Tenor),
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano),
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Clifford Grant (Bass),
Giacomo Aragall (Tenor),
Louis Quilico (Baritone),
Ryland Davies (Tenor),
Ian Caley (Tenor)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
John Alldis Choir,
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1889; France
Date of Recording: 1975
Length: 155 Minutes 52 Secs.
Language: French
4.
Manon by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Gérard Souzay (Baritone),
Gabriel Bacquier (Bass Baritone),
Michel Trempont (Bass),
Patricia Kern (Mezzo Soprano),
Nico Castel (Tenor),
Michele Raynaud (Soprano),
Nicolai Gedda (Tenor),
Helia T'Hezan (Mezzo Soprano),
Beverly Sills (Soprano)
Conductor:
Julius Rudel
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Philharmonia Orchestra,
Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1883-1884; France
5.
Le jongleur de Notre-Dame by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Richard Rittelmann (Baritone),
Roberto Alagna (Tenor),
Stefano Antonucci (Baritone),
Evgueniy Alexiev (Bass),
Marco Di Sapia (Baritone)
Conductor:
Enrique Diemecke
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Montpellier National Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1902; France
6.
Le roi de Lahore by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Sherrill Milnes (Baritone),
James Morris (Bass Baritone),
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Gareth Morrell (Tenor),
David Wilson-Johnson (Bass),
Nicolai Ghiaurov (Bass),
John Tomlinson (Bass Baritone),
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano),
Luis Lima (Tenor)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra,
London Opera Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877; France
Date of Recording: 1979
Venue: Kingsway Hall, London
Length: 146 Minutes 19 Secs.
Language: French
7.
Thaïs by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Thomas Hampson (Baritone),
Giuseppe Sabbatini (Tenor),
Stefano Palatchi (Bass),
Renée Fleming (Soprano),
José Luis Victoria (),
Loïc Cassin (),
Bruno Moga (),
Bernard Mansencal (),
Olivier Schock (),
David Grousset (Baritone),
Enkelejda Shkosa (Mezzo Soprano),
Isabelle Cals (Mezzo Soprano),
Marie Devellereau (Soprano),
Elisabeth Vidal (Soprano),
Renaud Capuçon (Violin)
Conductor:
Yves Abel
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bordeaux Aquitaine Orchestra,
Bordeaux Grand-Theatre Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1894; France
Venue: Franklin Hall, Bordeaux, France
Length: 146 Minutes 47 Secs.
Language: French
8.
Thérèse by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Louis Quilico (Baritone),
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Ryland Davies (Tenor),
Alan Opie (Baritone),
Neilson Taylor (Tenor)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1907; France
9.
Werther by Jules Massenet
Performer:
José Carreras (Tenor),
Linda Humphries (Soprano),
Thomas Allen (Baritone),
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano),
Isobel Buchanan (Soprano),
Robert Lloyd (Bass),
Donaldson Bell (Bass),
Paul Crook (Tenor),
Malcolm King (Bass)
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra,
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Childrens Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1892; France
Language: French
10.
Le Cid: Ballet music by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1885; France
11.
Le carillon by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1892; France
12.
Cigale by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: ?1903; France
13.
Werther: Act 4 Prelude "Le nuit de Noël" by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Albert Wolff
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Paris Opéra Comique Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1892; France
14.
Suite for Orchestra no 7 "Scènes alsaciennes" by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Albert Wolff
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Paris Conservatoire Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1882; France
15.
Suite for Orchestra no 4 "Scènes pittoresques" by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Albert Wolff
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Paris Conservatoire Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1874; France
16.
Phèdre: Overture by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Albert Wolff
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Paris Opéra Comique Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1873; France
17.
Chérubin: Viva amour "Aubade" by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Angela Gheorghiu (Soprano)
Conductor:
John Mauceri
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turin Teatro Regio Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1903; France
18.
Chérubin: Air de Nina by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Philharmonia Orchestra,
Ambrosian Light Opera Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1903; France
19.
Les Erinnyes: Invocation by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1873; France
20.
La Navarraise: Nocturne by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1894; France
21.
Chérubin: Act 3 Entr'acte by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
22.
Ariane: Lamento d'Ariane by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: France
23.
La Crépuscule by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Philharmonia Orchestra
24.
Cendrillon: Orchestral Suite - Marche des Princesses by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: France
25.
Cendrillon: Que mes soeurs sont heureuses by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Suisse Romande Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1899; France
26.
Manon: Ballet music by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1883-1884; France
27.
Thaïs: Meditation by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1894; France
28.
Le roi de Lahore: Ballet music by Jules Massenet
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877; France
29.
Hérodiade: C’est sa tête que je réclame by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Suisse Romande Orchestra
30.
Hérodiade: Il est doux, il est bon by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Angela Gheorghiu (Soprano)
Conductor:
John Mauceri
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turin Teatro Regio Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1881; France
31.
Le Cid: Pleurez, mes yeux! by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1885; France
32.
Fantasie for Cello and Orchestra by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Jascha Silberstein (Cello)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Suisse Romande Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1897; France
33.
Pensée d'automne by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Richard Bonynge (Piano),
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1888; France
34.
Oh! si les fleurs avaient des yeux by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano)
Conductor:
Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: France
35.
Nuit d'Espagne by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Richard Bonynge (Piano),
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1872; France
36.
Les yeux clos by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano),
Reginald Kilbey (Cello)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1905; France
37.
Ce que disent les cloches by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Richard Bonynge (Piano),
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1900; France
38.
Amours bénis by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1899; France
39.
Poème d'amour: no 4, Puisqu'elle a pris ma vie by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1879; France
40.
Le petit Jésus by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1899
41.
Souvenance by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1897
42.
L'âme des fleurs by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1891
43.
La mélodie des baisers by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
44.
Pitchounette by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1897
45.
L'eventail by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
46.
Je t'aime by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1893
47.
Les amoureuses sont des folles by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1902
48.
Printemps dernier by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1884
49.
Poème d'octobre: no 4, Roses d'octobre by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1876; France
50.
Sérénade d'automne by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1871
51.
Souhait by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1880
52.
Elle s'en est allée by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Huguette Tourangeau (Mezzo Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1895; France
53.
Les yeux clos by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1905; France
54.
Pensée d'automne by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano),
Richard Bonynge (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1888; France
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
excelant August 13, 2012
By M. Mitchell (Ajax, ON) See All My Reviews
"A very good collection well recorded. The casting of some of the operas is alittle inconsistant."
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The under appreciated Massenet July 16, 2012
By Stephen Schoeman (Westfield, NJ) See All My Reviews
"Massenet like Enescu is an under-appreciated classical composer. He was a very popular composer in his day but his works, he wrote 25 operas among his vast outpouring, are not often played. Manon is somewhat widely performed. And Thais to some extent. But what about Esclarmonde? Such lush orchestration! Such melody! And sung by Joan Sutherland it is an extraordinary treat for the ears. This Massenet Edition is a must collection for anyone, and this should be everyone, who enjoys sumptuous classical music and superb singing and orchestral playing. Perhaps the day will come when the classical listening public will say, "Enough of Verdi and Mozart and Beethoven for the hundredth time! Let's have performances from such as Massenet and others whose compositions are left in some backwater." No one type of classical music, or any music for that matter, should be "fashionable". All should be "fashionable". There is hope that the Massenet Edition may be a wake-up call to audiences that other wonderful music rarely if ever performed or heard or talked about will now get the attention which it deserves. Dr. Stephen Schoeman Westfield, New Jersey"
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