Susan Graham: French Songs – Verbier Festival 2009 DVD

UPC: 880242791283

Product Features

• Title: Susan Graham: French Songs
• Performer: Susan Graham (mezzo-soprano)
• Pianist: Malcolm Martineau
• Recording Location: Live at the Eglise de Verbier, 18 July 2009, Verbier Festival
• Directed by: Philippe Béziat
• Produced by: Pierre-Martin Juban & Pierre-Olivier Bardet (Idéale Audience)
• Language: French
• Subtitles: English, German, French
• TV Format: PAL
• Sound: Stereo
• Region Code: Worldwide (Region Free)
• Run Time: Approx. 90 minutes
• Publisher: Idéale Audience

Overview

This DVD captures the luminous mezzo-soprano Susan Graham in a captivating recital of French Songs, accompanied by the masterful pianist Malcolm Martineau, during the 2009 Verbier Festival. Known for her radiant voice and impeccable phrasing, Graham’s performance highlights her deep connection to the French mélodie tradition, which she often refers to as her "second native language."

The recital includes a diverse selection of songs, from the joyful innocence of Bizet’s Chanson d’avril to the haunting and dramatic La dame de Monte Carlo by Poulenc. Graham and Martineau take the audience on a journey through French music history, offering a range of emotional and stylistic nuances. The set features works by Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Hahn, Saint-Saëns, and more, showcasing the richness of French song from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Interesting Facts

• Susan Graham is internationally recognized for her interpretations of French mélodie, a genre in which she excels due to her clear diction and emotional depth.
• The performance includes rarely performed works like Roussel's Réponse d'une épouse sage and Caplet’s Le corbeau et le renard, adding uniqueness to the program.
• Malcolm Martineau, one of the leading accompanists of his generation, is known for his sensitive collaborations with many renowned vocalists, including Susan Graham.
• The Verbier Festival, held annually in Switzerland, is one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world, known for its intimate performances and bringing together top-tier artists.
• The concert was recorded in the beautiful Eglise de Verbier, adding an ethereal acoustic backdrop to the emotional resonance of the songs.

Track Listing

Georges Bizet

1. Chanson d'avril

César Franck

1. Nocturne

Camille Saint-Saëns

1. Danse macabre

Emmanuel Chabrier

1. Les cigales

Alfred Bachelet

1. Chère nuit

Henri Duparc

1. Au pays où se fait la guerre

Maurice Ravel

1. Le paon

André Caplet

1. Le corbeau et le renard

Albert Roussel

1. Réponse d'une épouse sage

Claude Debussy

1. Colloque sentimental

Gabriel Fauré

1. Vocalise-Etude

Arthur Honegger

1. Trois chansons de la petite sirène

Manuel Rosenthal

1. La souris d'Angleterre

Francis Poulenc

1. La dame de Monte Carlo

Reynaldo Hahn

1. A Chloris

Publishers

• Idéale Audience
• Verbier Festival

Hashtags

#SusanGraham #FrenchSongs #VerbierFestival #MalcolmMartineau #FrenchMelodie #LiveRecital #ClassicalMusicDVD #IdéaleAudience #Verbier2009 #Bizet #Poulenc #Debussy #Ravel