Cyril Auvity heads the cast in a new recording of Marc-Antoine Charpentier's La Descente d'OrphÃ©e aux enfers in a production being released by Glossa. Auvity is the lovelorn Orpheus who ventures, with his lyre, into the Underworld to plead with Pluto (Etienne Bazola) for the return of his Eurydice (CÃ©line Scheen), struck down in her prime by a snakebite, being encouraged in his efforts by Proserpine, the wife of the ruler of Hades (Floriane Hasler). This is a two-act chamber opera, written in 1686, and it is not known whether Charpentier ever composed any more music for the piece (the drama stops at a tantalizing moment in the well-known story). Even still, the composer appears to have invested substantial inspiration into the work, which will have been performed in front of the composer's patron, Mademoiselle de Guise by a group of singers working within the limitations imposed by Jean- Baptiste Lully's "musical monopoly" of the time. For this recording, keyboard-player Ronan Khalil directs his Ensemble Desmarest. The demanding lead role of this entertainment continues Auvity's strong current presence in French Baroque music-making - as well as his connection with Glossa. His Orpheus follows his previous Charpentier Stances du Cid release on the label, as well as appearances in operas by Campra, Destouches and Lully.

Tracklist:

La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488: Overture
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Inventons Mille Jeux Divers
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Ruisseau Qui Dans Ce Beau Séjour
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Compagnes Fidèles
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Qu'il Se Croira Fortuné
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Soutiens Moi, Chère &OElig;none - Qu'ai-Je Entendu, Que Vo
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Ah! Bergers, C'en Est Fait
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Entrée De Nymphes Et De Bergers Désespéré
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Lâche Amant
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Ne Tourne Point, Mon Fils
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act I: Que D'un Frivole Espoir - Juste Sujet De Pleurs
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Prélude - Affreux Tourments
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Prélude - Cessez, Fameux Coupables
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Quelle Touchante Voix
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Je Ne Refuse Point Le Secours - Il N'est Rien Aux Enfers
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Entrée De Fantômes
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Prélude - Que Cherche En Mon Palais
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Je Ne Viens Point Ici - Pauvre Amant
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Euridice N'est Plus
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Le Destin Est Contraire - Ah! Puisqu'avant Le Temps
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Tu Ne La Perdras Point, Hélas!
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Quel Charme Impérieux - Courage Orphée
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Souviens-Toi Du Larcin
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Je Cède, Je Me Rends - Amour, Brûlant Amour
La Descente D'orphée Aux Enfers, H. 488, Act II: Vous Partez Donc, Orphée

UPC: 8424562236028
Label: Glossa
Release Date: 5.18.18
Format: CD

Charpentier / Auvity / Khalil - Descente D'orphee Aux Enfers (CD)