Veronique Gens - Desmarets & Campra: Iphigenie en Tauride - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Nearly a century before Gluck, another opera called Iphigenie en Tauride - same plot, same protagonists - had immense success on the opera stage. This 'first' Iphigenie has rather a curious history. The opera was sketched out by composer Henri Desmarest around the year 1695, but he was then banished from France by Louis XIV for having married a young girl without her father's consent. The uncompleted score of Iphigenie was then entrusted to Andre Campra. The opera, since lost and forgotten, was rediscovered by Benoit Dratwicki, Director of the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, who marvels at it's stylistic unity 'Campra easily adopted Desmarest's style. He just added some virtuoso arias to the divertissements, as well as the tuneful choruses that were his speciality.' Iphigenie en Tauride had it's premiere on 6 May 1704, and was revived throughout Europe from 1711. Thanks to Herve Niquet, a top-flight team of singers, an orchestra well versed in French repertoire, and all their collaborative research into the practices and specific playing techniques of the early 18th century, Iphigenie sees the light of day once more. Album Tracks 1. Prologue Ouverture 2. Prologue Scene 1 Recitative C'est Dans Ce Fortuné Séjour (L'ordonnateur) 3. Prologue Scene 1 Air Et Chœur Chantons, Qu'à Nos Voix Tout Réponde (L'ordonnateur, Chorus) 4. Prologue Scene 1 Entrée 5. Prologue Scene 1 Récit Accompagné Dieu, Qui Sur Les Humains (L'ordonnateur) 6. Prologue Scene 1 Sarabande 7. Prologue Scene 1 Air Dans Les Concerts Que Vous Faites Entendre (Un Habitant de Délos) 8. Prologue Scene 1 Air Aimons-Nous, Laissons-Nous Charmer (Première Habitante) 9. Prologue Scene 1 Menuets 10. Prologue Scene 1 Duo Loin de Vouloir Disputer la Victoire (Première Habitante, Seconde Habitante) 11. Prologue Scene 1 Prélude, Duo Et Chœur Que Diane Ait Part À Nos Je