2019 release. "The most dramatic piece that Berlioz ever wrote," is how conductor John Nelson describes La Damnation de Faust. The composer designated this thrilling hybrid of oratorio and opera a 'lÃ©gende dramatique'. Following in the triumphant footsteps of Les Troyens, also recorded at the Auditorium Erasme in Strasbourg, this performance reunites Nelson and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg with singers Michael Spyres, Joyce DiDonato and Nicolas Courjal. This recording was made in the Auditorium Erasme in Strasbourg in April 2019, two years after Nelson, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg and a superb cast including Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres and Nicolas Courjal brought Berlioz's Les Troyens to life in the same venue. The associated Erato recording of the huge two-part opera has gone on to win unalloyed praise and multiple major prizes. As the New York Times wrote: "Berlioz's epic opera has rarely been given such luxury treatment as in this magnificent live recording from France."

Tracklist:

La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 1: "Le Vieil Hiver a Fait Place Au Printemps" (Faust)
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 1: "Les Bergers Laissent Leurs Troupeaux" (Chorus, Faust)
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 1: "Mais D'un Ã‰clat Guerrier" (Faust)
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 1: Marche Hongroise
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 1: "Christ Vient de Ressusciter !" (Chorus, Faust)
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 1: "A Boire Encor !... Oh ! Qu'il Fait Bon" (Chorus, MÃ©phistophÃ©lÃ¨s, Brander) 1
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 1: "Amen" (Brander, Chorus) 1
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 2: Ballet Des Sylphes 1
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 2: "Jam Nox Stellata Velamina Pandit" (Chorus) 2
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 2: "Villes EntourÃ©es... Jam Nox Stellata" (Chorus, Faust, MÃ©phistophÃ©lÃ¨s) 2
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 3: Tambours Et Trompettes Sonnant la Retraite 2
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 3: "Que L'air Est Ã‰touffant !" (Marguerite) 2
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 3: Menuet Des Follets 2
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 3: "Grand Dieu !" (Marguerite) 3
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 3: "Allons, Il Est Trop Tard !" (MÃ©phistophÃ©lÃ¨s, Marguerite, Faust, Chorus) 3
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 4: "D'amour L'ardente Flamme" (Marguerite) 3
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 4: "Au Son Des Trompettes" (Chorus, Marguerite) 3
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 4: "Nature Immense" (Faust) 3
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 4: "Dans Mon Cour Retentit Sa Voix DÃ©sespÃ©rÃ©e" (Faust, Chorus, MÃ©phistophÃ©lÃ¨s)
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Epilogue: "Alors L'enfer Se Tut" (Chorus) 4
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Epilogue: "Laus ! Laus ! Hosanna ! Hosanna !" (Chorus, Une Voix) 4
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Epilogue: "Remonte Au Ciel, me NaÃ¯ve" (Chorus) 4
La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Epilogue: "Viens, Les Vierges Divines" (Chorus, Une Voix)

UPC: 190295417352
Label: Erato
Release Date: 12.6.19
Format: CD

Didonato / Spyres / Courjal / Duhamel / Choeur De - Berlioz: La Damnation De Faust (CD)