Massenet: Le Cid

Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler

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Massenet: Le Cid Review

by Stephen Eddins

Le Cid, based on the play by Corneille, was the opera with which Massenet followed Manon, his greatest success. Le Cid initially enjoyed a strong reception, but it has failed to hold a place in the repertoire, which is a shame since its music is colorful and expressive and it gives its leads ample opportunity to dazzle. This live recording, with the Opera Orchestra of New York and Byrne Camp Chorale, led by Eve Queler, is for the most part a compelling performance that makes a strong case for the opera. The opera is further proof, if any was needed, of Massenet's ability to evoke a particular place and era in his music; without using specific medieval or Spanish themes, he conjures a world that seems like a natural setting for the drama. The roles of Rodrigue and Chimene figure very prominently in the music and are lyrically spectacular showcases. Plácido Domingo and Grace Bumbry fill out the roles in shining form. Both are at the height of their powers and sing with ringing tone and the kind of breathtaking abandon that sends thrills down the spine. Of the rest of the cast, only Paul Plishka is a star; the others, while mostly unknown, are fully at ease and sing with conviction and expressiveness. Queler makes the most of the score's surging drama and pulsing lyricism, and except for one spectacular blooper, the orchestra plays well; at the end of the Infanta's gorgeous and dramatic prayer, beautifully sung by Eleanor Bergquist, part of the orchestra lands on a major chord and the other part on a minor chord. The sound quality is full and present, with very good balance for a live recording. Le Cid should be of strong interest to fans of Romantic French opera, and of powerful, old-fashioned bel canto performances.

Track Listing - Disc 1

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
Le Cid, opera
1	Overture Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	09:07	Amazon
2	Act I, Scene 1 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	04:16	Amazon
3	Act I, Scene 1: "I can love freely before all!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:05	Amazon
4	Act I, Scene 1: "Leave the doubts in my soul" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:55	Amazon
5	Act I, Scene 2 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	05:48	Amazon
6	Act I, Scene 2: "Do you swear to be a good knight?" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	01:54	Amazon
7	Act I, Scene 2: "Oh, noble sword that gleems" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	01:17	Amazon
8	Act I, Scene 2: "To St, James of Compostela" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	05:44	Amazon
9	Act I, Scene 2: "So you have won the prize!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:37	Amazon
10	Act I, Scene 2: "Oh rage, oh despair" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:33	Amazon
11	Act I, Scene 2: "Rodrigo, do you have a heart?" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	05:46	Amazon
12	Act II, Scene 1 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:41	Amazon
13	Act II, Scene 1: "A word with you, Count!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	04:56	Amazon
14	Act II, Scene 1: "While returning to your honor" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	05:15	Amazon
15	Act II, Scene 2 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	04:33	Amazon
16	Act II, Scene 2: Castillane Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	02:54	Amazon
17	Act II, Scene 2: Aubade Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	01:08	Amazon
18	Act II, Scene 2: Catalane Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:12	Amazon

Track Listing - Disc 2

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
Le Cid, opera
1	Act II, Scene 2: Navarraise Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:22	Amazon
2	Act II, Scene 2: "The King! The King!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:37	Amazon
3	Act II, Scene 2: "You, Don Diego, speak!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:13	Amazon
4	Act II, Scene 2: "What torment to see her!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	08:33	Amazon
5	Act III, Scene 1 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	03:46	Amazon
6	Act III, Scene 1: "I leave that frightful combat with my soul shattered!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	04:47	Amazon
7	Act III, Scene 1: "Rodrigo! You! In this dwelling!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	07:33	Amazon
8	Act III, Scene 1: "Die! You will die!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	06:00	Amazon
9	Act III, Scene 2 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	05:41	Amazon
10	Act III, Scene 3 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	01:49	Amazon
11	Act III, Scene 3: "Oh, Lord, oh, Judge, oh, Father" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	04:02	Amazon
12	Act III, Scene 4: "Oh, noble sword" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	02:23	Amazon
13	Act IV, Scene 1 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	01:53	Amazon
14	Act IV, Scene 1: "So then my son is dead!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	05:02	Amazon
15	Act IV, Scene 4 Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	02:47	Amazon
16	Act IV, Scene 4: "Oh, King! It is from you that I recieved this sword" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	02:15	Amazon
17	Act IV, Scene 4: "And how I will answer!" Jules Massenet	Plácido Domingo / Eve Queler	05:12	Amazon

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Massenet: Le Cid Review

Track Listing - Disc 1

Track Listing - Disc 2

Plácido Domingo Discography Browser