Debussy: Pelléas et Melisande – A Timeless Opera Masterpiece Remastered (2-CD Set)

Product Details

Creative Title

• Title: "Debussy: Pelléas et Melisande – A Legendary 1954 Performance of Symbolist Opera"
• Format: 2 x CD, Album (Mono, Remastered)
• UPC: 8025726222675
• Label: Urania Records (Catalog No. URN 22.267)
• Release Date: May 30, 2006
• Genre: Classical, Opera

Overview

English Overview

Step into the mysterious and evocative world of Claude Debussy's Pelléas et Melisande, a cornerstone of symbolist opera, with this newly remastered 2-CD set from a historic 1954 radio broadcast. Featuring a stellar cast led by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf as Mélisande and Ernst Haefliger as Pelléas, under the masterful direction of Herbert von Karajan, this recording captures the subtle emotional intensity and atmospheric soundscapes that define Debussy's masterpiece. Originally broadcast by RAI in Rome, the album has been revitalized using state-of-the-art 24-bit/96kHz restoration techniques, offering listeners a chance to experience the drama of forbidden love and fate in crisp, immersive mono sound. With a total runtime of 154 minutes, this release is a must-have for classical music aficionados seeking authenticity and depth in their collection.

Product Features

Format & Audio Quality

• Format: 2-CD set in mono, remastered for enhanced clarity and dynamic range
• Compatibility: Compatible with all standard CD players
• Total Duration: 154'07"
• Audio Specifications: ADD Mono, restored using Urania's USD 24 Restoration System for optimal sound fidelity from the original digital broadcast

Performance & Content Details

• Key Performers:
  • Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Mélisande)
  • Ernst Haefliger (Pelléas)
  • Michel Roux (Golaud)
  • Mario Petri (Arkel)
  • Christiane Gayraud (Geneviève)
  • Graziella Sciutti (Yniold)
• Ensemble: Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Roma della Rai
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Original Recording Details: Captured in December 1954 during a live radio broadcast in Rome, Italy

Interesting Facts

English Interesting Facts

• Historical Significance: This 1954 recording is one of the earliest captures of Pelléas et Melisande, showcasing Karajan's early mastery in opera conduction, and it remains a reference point for Debussy's interpretation despite the challenges of mono sound.
• Restoration Innovation: Utilizing advanced 24-bit/96kHz technology, Urania has breathed new life into this classic broadcast, making it accessible with modern clarity without altering the original mono essence.
• Cast Excellence: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's portrayal of Mélisande is noted for its emotional nuance and vocal precision, drawing praise for capturing the character's ethereal mystery in non-French productions.
• Debussy's Legacy: The opera, based on Maurice Maeterlinck's play, exemplifies Debussy's innovative use of orchestral color and restrained emotion, influencing generations of composers and performers.

Track Listing

Act and Scene Details with Timings

• Disc 1:
  1. Act – (Timing not specified in source)
  2. Je Ne Purrai Plus Sortir de Cette Forêt – (Timing not specified)
  3. Act – (Timing not specified)
  4. Voici Ce Qu'il A Écrit à Son Frère Pelléas – (Timing not specified)
  5. Act – (Timing not specified)
  6. Il Fait Sombre Dans Les Jardins – (Timing not specified)
  7. Act – (Timing not specified)
  8. Vous Ne Soyez Pas Où Je Vous Ai Mené? – (Timing not specified)
  9. Act – (Timing not specified)
  10. Ah! Ah! Tout Va Bien – (Timing not specified)
  11. Act – (Timing not specified)
  12. Oui, C'est Ici, Nous y Sommes – (Timing not specified)
  13. Act – (Timing not specified)
  14. Mes Longs Cheveux Descendent – (Timing not specified)
  15. Act – (Timing not specified)
  16. Prenez Garde. Par Ici, Par Ici – (Timing not specified)
  17. Act – (Timing not specified)
  18. Ah! Je Respire Enfin! – (Timing not specified)
  19. Act – (Timing not specified)
  20. Viens, Nous Allons Nous Asseoir Ici, Yniold – (Timing not specified)
  21. Act – (Timing not specified)
  22. Où Vas-Tu? Il Faut Que Je Te Parle Ce Soir – (Timing not specified)
  23. Act – (Timing not specified)
  24. Oh! Cette Pierre Est Lourde – (Timing not specified)
  25. Act – (Timing not specified)
  26. C'est la Dernier Soir – (Timing not specified)
  27. Act – (Timing not specified)
  28. Ce N'est Pas de Cette Petite Blessure Qu'elle Peut Mourir – (Timing not specified)

Note: The track listing in the input lacks specific timings for individual tracks beyond the total CD time. Based on the provided details, the acts and scenes are listed sequentially, but timings are not broken down. For a complete experience, refer to the album's booklet for detailed scene breakdowns.

Publishers

• Published by: Urania Produzioni Discografiche S.a.s., Milan, Italy
• Production & Restoration: Alessandro Nava used the USD 24 Restoration System; original recording from RAI, Rome, December 1954
• Source: Radio digital broadcast, remastered in 2006 for Urania Records

We value your feedback! Share your experience with this product to help others make informed decisions. Your review is important to us!

Hashtags

English Hashtags

#DebussyPelléas #ClassicalOpera #KarajanConducts #SchwarzkopfOpera #UraniaRecords #SymbolistMusic #RemasteredClassics #OperaLegends #HistoricalRecordings #MonoAudio