Description

Massenet: Le Cid – World Premiere Recording (2CD Set)

Product Information

UPC: 5099707930029
Catalog Number: MIK 79300 / M2K 34211 / CB 773
Product Type: Digital/Compact Disc Release
Title: Le Cid
Composer: Jules Massenet (1842–1912)
Opera Form: Opéra en quatre actes / Opera in four acts / Oper in vier Akten
Libretto by: Adolphe d'Ennery, Louis Gallet & Edouard Blau
Featured Artists:

Rodrigue: Plácido Domingo
Chimène: Grace Bumbry
Don Diegue: Paul Plishka
Linfante: Eleanor Bergquist
Le Comte de Gormas: Arnold Voketaaitis
Le Roi: Jake Gardner
Don Arias: Clinton Ingram
Don Alonzo: Theodore Hodges
L'Envoyé Maure: Peter Lightfoot
St. Jacques: John Adams
Ensembles:
Chorale: Byrne Camp Chorale (Director: Byrne Camp)
Orchestra: Opera Orchestra of New York (Conducted by Eve Queler)
Production Credits:
Produced by: Thomas Frost (Assisted by Steven Epstein)
Recording Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York (March 1976)
Engineers: Stan Tonkel, Ray Moore, Bud Graham
Art Direction: Allen Weinberg
Libretto Design: Peter Nutter / Thumb Design
Label: CBS Records Inc. / MASTERWORKS (trademarks of CBS Music Products Inc.)
Manufacturing: Printed in Holland
Edition: World Premiere Recording / Première enregistrement mondial

Overview

English Overview

Step into the grandeur of Jules Massenet’s Le Cid with this world premiere recording—a historic document captured live at Carnegie Hall in March 1976. This definitive release features the stellar vocal talents of Plácido Domingo as Rodrigue, Grace Bumbry as Chimène, and Paul Plishka as Don Diegue, supported by an impressive cast including Eleanor Bergquist, Arnold Voketaaitis, Jake Gardner, Clinton Ingram, Theodore Hodges, Peter Lightfoot, and John Adams. With the Byrne Camp Chorale and the Opera Orchestra of New York under the inspired direction of Eve Queler, this four-act opera brings to life the stirring drama and lyrical passion of Massenet’s score. Produced by Thomas Frost, with assistance from Steven Epstein, this recording marks the first-ever documentation of Le Cid on record, offering collectors and opera enthusiasts an essential piece of musical history.

French Overview (Vue d'ensemble)

Plongez dans le faste de Le Cid de Jules Massenet grâce à ce tout premier enregistrement mondial, capturé en direct au Carnegie Hall de New York en mars 1976. Cet enregistrement définitif présente les talents vocaux exceptionnels de Plácido Domingo dans le rôle de Rodrigue, de Grace Bumbry dans celui de Chimène et de Paul Plishka en tant que Don Diegue, soutenus par une distribution remarquable comprenant Eleanor Bergquist, Arnold Voketaaitis, Jake Gardner, Clinton Ingram, Theodore Hodges, Peter Lightfoot et John Adams. Accompagné du Byrne Camp Chorale et de l'Opera Orchestra of New York, sous la direction inspirée d’Eve Queler, cet opéra en quatre actes sublime le drame émouvant et la passion lyrique de la partition de Massenet. Produit par Thomas Frost, assisté par Steven Epstein, cet enregistrement constitue le premier document sonore de Le Cid, offrant aux collectionneurs et aux passionnés d'opéra un véritable morceau d'histoire musicale.

Product Features

Format & Packaging

Media Format: Digital/Compact Disc release
Packaging: Elegantly designed package that reflects the historic significance of this world premiere recording
Edition: Collectible release, commemorating the first-ever recording of Le Cid

Musical & Production Details

Opera Structure:
Le Cid is presented in four acts, combining lyrical arias, vibrant choruses, and dramatic ensembles that traverse themes of honor, love, and destiny.
Performance Highlights:Production Quality:
- Vocal Brilliance: The commanding performances by Plácido Domingo, Grace Bumbry, and Paul Plishka set a high benchmark in operatic interpretation.
- Ensemble Excellence: The synergy between the Byrne Camp Chorale and the Opera Orchestra of New York, under Eve Queler’s direction, delivers a balanced and evocative musical narrative.
- Historical Recording: Captured live at Carnegie Hall, this world premiere recording preserves a unique historic moment in operatic performance.
Expertly engineered by Stan Tonkel, Ray Moore, and Bud Graham, with art direction by Allen Weinberg and libretto design by Peter Nutter / Thumb Design, ensuring a refined presentation that exceeds audiophile standards.

Interesting Facts

English Interesting Facts

World Premiere Recording:
This landmark release is the first-ever recording of Massenet’s Le Cid, making it a prized acquisition for collectors of opera and historic performances.
Star-Studded Cast:
The record features legendary artists such as Plácido Domingo and Grace Bumbry, whose performances have been lauded for their emotional depth and technical mastery.
Historic Venue:
Recorded live at the iconic Carnegie Hall, this performance captures the magic and intensity of a night when opera history was made.

French Interesting Facts (Faits intéressants)

Première Mondiale :
Cet enregistrement historique est le tout premier de Le Cid de Massenet, ce qui en fait un précieux objet de collection pour les amateurs d’opéra et de performances historiques.
Distribution Exceptionnelle :
La distribution réunit des artistes légendaires tels que Plácido Domingo et Grace Bumbry, dont les prestations sont saluées pour leur émotion et leur virtuosité.
Lieu de Légende :
Enregistré en direct au Carnegie Hall, ce spectacle capture la magie et l’intensité d’une soirée qui a marqué l’histoire de l’opéra.

Track Listing

Due to the comprehensive scope of a four-act opera performance, the complete track listing is contained within the accompanying booklet notes. Each act unfolds a series of arias, recitatives, ensembles, and choruses that collectively narrate the dramatic and lyrical journey of Le Cid.

Publishers

Released by CBS Records Inc. / MASTERWORKS in 1976, this world premiere recording of Le Cid is an authorized production by CBS Music Products Inc.
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