Charpentier compposed in the time of Louis XIV but the official patent to write operas was held by Lully so Charpentier had to work within limitattions. he was normally limited as to the size of his orchestra and the number of singers. He also needed to secure the good opinion of Louis. He wrote an Opera about Orpheus, The Descente d'Orphee aux Enfers, which may or not be unifinished and another in praise of Louis, La Couronne de Fleurs, which Louis.
The current performance by the Boston Early Music Festival interweaves the two pieces so we may be fairly sure that Charpentier did not see them performed thus. The music, instruments, costumes, dance and performance, however, are as true the time of composition as it is possible to make them. The voices were remarkable--well you can say that about anything, can't you? The voices were lovely. Boston Early Music performances are as authentic as to instruments, style, dance and production as possible, and this was done as a "court stating," that is, the orchestra was on stage, but the singers and dancers were in costume and enacted the scenes. The program contained and extensive essay on the works and production
This was a lovely evening but not a stirring one. I must confess to fading out at times. At one point Orpheus was leading Euridice off the stage and toward a side exit, but I never saw them walk through it. My husband assures me they left without incident.
The current performance by the Boston Early Music Festival interweaves the two pieces so we may be fairly sure that Charpentier did not see them performed thus. The music, instruments, costumes, dance and performance, however, are as true the time of composition as it is possible to make them. The voices were remarkable--well you can say that about anything, can't you? The voices were lovely. Boston Early Music performances are as authentic as to instruments, style, dance and production as possible, and this was done as a "court stating," that is, the orchestra was on stage, but the singers and dancers were in costume and enacted the scenes. The program contained and extensive essay on the works and production
This was a lovely evening but not a stirring one. I must confess to fading out at times. At one point Orpheus was leading Euridice off the stage and toward a side exit, but I never saw them walk through it. My husband assures me they left without incident.
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