Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev - Massenet: Don Quichotte (2012) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto is one of the most sought-after interpreters of French, Italian and Russian repertoire. Here he joins Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky orchestra for a sumptuous recording of Massenet’s final great opera. Gergiev is no stranger to conducting Massenet, having recorded an outstanding performance of 'Hérodiade' in 1995 with Renée Fleming and Placido Domingo.

'Don Quichotte', Massenet’s comédie-héroïque, is a tale of heroism, adventure and unrequited love. The plot relates only indirectly to the great novel by Miguel de Cervantes and more likely refers to the play Le chevalier de la longue figure, by the poet Jacques Le Lorrain. Massenet, nearing the end of his career, probably identified with the character of Don Quichotte, and fell in love with the mezzo-soprano Lucy Arbell, who played Dulcinée in the first performance of the work.

Praised for his vast range, thundering vocal power, and exceptional acting ability, Ferruccio Furlanetto has performed at the world’s leading opera houses, including La Scala, the Royal Opera House, the New York Metropolitan Opera and the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. His 2011-12 season is dominated by performances of 'Boris Godunov' with the Chicago Lyric Opera, Vienna Staatsoper and the Teatro Massimo (Palermo). Furlanetto will also sing Méphistophélès in Gounod’s 'Faust', Don Basilio in 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia' and Silva in 'Ernani' at the Met.

Mezzo-soprano Anna Kiknadze is a principal soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg. Highlights of her early career include being a finalist at the 2001 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, 2002 Placido Domingo Operalia Competition in Paris and the International Rimsky-Korsakov Competition in St. Petersburg.

“[Furlanetto] is quite astonishingly moving in it, as is Andrei Serov as Sancho Pança. The rest of it is more equivocal. Gergiev is at his best when the music is most tender, but goes hell-for-leather at the fiesta scenes, which work better when less pressured.” (The Guardian)

“Furlanetto's basso cantante makes a fine compromise [between Ghiaurov and van Dam] - rich but smooth in fluent French - and Valery Gergiev whips up the score more vigorously than either predecessor…Gergiev has excellent surround sound, and this new version comes recommended” (BBC Music Magazine)

“[Furlanetto's] dark round tone is perfect for the role. He can't resist uttering his trademark sob now and then but much can be forgiven for his beautiful legato…Furlanetto's combination of sadness and dignity is most affecting…Anna Kiknadze finds heart as well as frivolity in Dulcinee's music. Gergiev and his chorus and orchestra are on fine form and the recorded sound, in the experienced hands of James Mallinson, is excellent.” (Gramophone)

TRACKLIST

Jules Massenet (1842-1912)

Act I
1 Prelude et Danse: Alza! Alza! Alza! (La Foule, Pedro, Garcias, Rodriguez, Juan) 05:19
2 Une Place Publique: Alza quand la femme a vingt ans (Dulcinee, La Foule, Pedro, Garcias, Rodriguez, Juan) 03:06
3 Une Place Publique: Dulcinee est certes jolie (Rodriguez, Juan) 02:01
4 Une Place Publique: Allegresse! Allegresse! (La Foule, Don Quichotte) 01:29
5 Une Place Publique: C'est merveille de voir! (Don Quichotte, Sancho, La Foule) 03:46
6 Une Place Publique: O Dulcinee! Ah!!! Vous allez ameuter alcade (Don Quichotte, Sancho) 01:50
7 Une Place Publique - Serenade: Quand apparaissent les etoiles (Don Quichotte, Juan) 05:09
8 Une Place Publique: Ah! Ah! C'est vous qui lanciez (Dulcinee, Don Quichotte, Juan) 01:51
9 Une Place Publique: Vous etes, Monseigneur (Dulcinee, Pedro, Garcias, Rodriguez, Juan, Don Quichotte) 07:34

Act II
10 Les Moulins - Chanson: C'est vers ton amour (Don Quichotte, Sancho) 06:53
11 Les Moulins: Comment peut-on penser du bien (Sancho) 03:00
12 Les Moulins: Regarde! Quoi? Quoi? (Don Quichotte, Sancho) 04:02
13 Les Moulins: Entracte 02:32

Act III
14 Dans La Sierra: C'est ici le chemin que prennent les bandits (Don Quichotte, Sancho) 06:54
15 Dans La Sierra: O mes reves divins! (Don Quichotte, Sancho, Les Bandits) 02:15
16 Dans La Sierra: Ah! Voir un corps long comme un jour sans pain (Les Bandits) 00:31
17 Dans La Sierra: Seigneur, recois mon ame (Don Quichotte) 08:33

Act IV
18 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Alors, traitresse, je n'ai plus rien a esperer (Juan, Dulcinee, Rodriguez, Garcias, Pedro)0 5:36
19 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Ah! J'ai en ce moment le desir d'autre chose (All) 01:43
20 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Alza! Alza! Ne pensons qu'au plaisir D'aimor (Dulcinee, La Foule) 03:42
21 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Annonce le grand Don Quichotte (Sancho, Les Laquais, Don Quichotte) 05:04
22 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: On ne s'explique pas (All) 01:36
23 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Marchez dans mon chemin (Don Quichotte) 01:44
24 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Me marier, moi! (Dulcinee, La Foule, Don Quichotte) 06:16
25 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Enfin, te Revoila! (All) 02:15
26 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Riez, allez, riez du pauvre ideologue (Sancho) 02:43
27 Le Patio De La Belle Dulcinee: Entracte 02:51
28 La Mort De Don Quichotte: O Mon Maitre, o mon grand! (Sancho, Don Quichotte) 05:59

Act V
29 Oui! Je fus le chef (Don Quichotte, Sancho) 02:59
30 L'Etoile! (Don Quichotte, Dulcinee, Sancho) 02:21

PERSONNEL
Ferruccio Furlanetto (Don Quichotte)
Anna Kiknadze (Dulcinée)
Andrei Serov (Sancho Panza)
Valery Gergiev, Mariinsky Orchestra
< Soloists' Ensemble of the Mariinsky
Academy of Young Singers

Recorded May 2011 in the Mariinsky Concert Hall, St Petersburg
Produced by James Mallinson