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Rameau Pigmalion, Les Grands Motets / Niquet, Fouchécourt, de Reyghere, Piau, Gens, Composer Jean-Philippe Rameau, Performer Sandrine Piau, Véronique Gens, Nicole Fournié, Jean-Paul Fouchécourt, Conductor Hervé Niquet, Orchestra/Ensemble Le Concert Spirituel, Number of Discs 2. The contents of both these discs were recorded in 1992 and issued separately towards the end of the decade in the U.S. This is their first reissue and this should draw attention once more to some truly impressive performances. Any performance of Pigmalion rises and falls by the talent of it's eponymous hero, for it's three female roles are minor. Fortunately, Jean-Paul Fouchécourt was engaged for the part. He has sometimes been described as an haute-contre, though the meaning of the term has been hotly debated of late. Suffice to say that if it refers to a high tenor voice employing no falsetto, and used to convey an emotional range from sweetly lyrical to brightly heroic in French music, then Fouchécourt fits the bill. He excels equally in the expansive vigor of InchL'Amour triomphe,Inch as well as the delicate but elaborate coloratura of InchRègne, Amour.Inch Niquet cuts him no slack, setting a daunting pace for the latter, but Fouchécourt easily triumphs. The sound quality is excellent, however, spacious yet close enough to really catch the voices and instrumentals well. Album Tracks 1. Ouverture 2. Pigmalion Fatal Amour 3. Cã©Phise Pigmalion, Est-Il Possible 4. Pigmalion Que D'appas! 5. La Statue S'anime - Pigmalion Quel Prodige! 6. L'amour Du Pouvoir de L'amour 7. Les Grã¢Ces Instruisent la Statue 8. Tambourin... Choeurdes Peuples Cã©Dons, Cã©Dons à Notre Impatience 9. Pigmalion/Choeur L'amour Triomphe 10. Pantomme - Deuxiã¨Me Pantomime 11. Pigmalion Rã¨Gne, Amour 12. Air Gracieux - Ballet Gã©Nã©Ral 13. Air Gay 14. Trajan Ces Oiseaux P
