Credits:

Schubert / Gonzales / Maa

Description:

Christie's definitive masterful performance of Rameau's great masterpiece "Platée" is now available on CD! Christie's CD of Rameau's masterpiece "Platée," which he has loved for more than 50 years since his youth, was recorded at the Theater an der Wien in December 2020 under the direction of Robert Carsen (Carsen's long-awaited production of "Platée" was presented as a new production in 2014. (Carsen's long-awaited production of "Platée" was staged as a new production in 2014, but Paul Agnew conducted that production due to Christie's indisposition. This is a reprise under Christie's direction.) While studying at Harvard, there was a time when Christie was unsure whether or not he would continue with music as a professional performer, but after hearing a recording of Rameau's opera, he thought that if he had not continued with music, he would never have performed these works and would regret it for the rest of his life. That is how special Rameau is. He also believes that the best way to understand Rameau is through his operas, and that "Plateaux" is one of his best works. Christie himself is very much attached to this performance. Rameau's "Platée" was first performed in 1745, and then again in 1749 in a revised version. It is a comedy about Plateau, a swamp nymph (queen of frogs) who thinks she is very attractive, and the gods of Greek mythology. It is one of Rameau's best works, but there are curiously few recordings of it.Christie's recording is a most welcome addition, employing the ending of the 1745 version, in which Platée is left alone in the swamp, bemoaning her ugliness. The role of Platée was written for Pierre Juliot, a virtuoso countertenor of the time who was particularly adept at playing such comical roles, but in this performance, the role is played by Markus Beekman, a Dutch tenor who has taken the world by storm, especially in the baroque and contemporary repertoire. In this production, the role is played by Markus Beekman, a tenor from the Netherlands who has taken the world by storm, especially in baroque and contemporary music. He plays the role of Platæ with a technique that defies the category of "voice," a range that seems infinite, and a superb acting ability (Platæ is originally a frog, but Carsen's production has given Beekman the role of a less attractive woman ( ), and is played by a celebrity designer (=Jupiter) modeled after fashion legend Lagerfeld.) The other cast members include popular singers who are active not only in baroque music but also in opera and other genres. (1/2) King International

Tracklisting:

1.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Ouverture
2.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 1: Branle / Reci: Le ciel repand ici / Recit et Ch?ur: coulez, jus precieux
3.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 1: Recit: Que vois-je? / Ch?ur: Ranimez vos sens assoupis
4.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 1: Recit et Ch?ur: Rendons grace a Bacchus
5.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 1: Ariette: Charmant Bacchus
6.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 1: Recit: Menades et jeunes et belles
7.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 2: Prelude et recit: Poursuivez, Thespis
8.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 2: Air: Aux seuls humains bornez-vous la satire?
9.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 2: Trio: Cherchons a railler en tous lieux
10.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 2: Recit: Dans ces lieux, Jupiter lui-meme
11.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 3: Air: Que peut-on sans l'Amour
12.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 3: Air: Momus, Amour, Dieu des raisins / Air et Ch?ur: Formons un spectacle nouveau
13.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 3: Air pantomime
14.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Scene 3: Premier et deuxieme Rigaudons / Contredanse en rondeau / Air et Ch?ur: Chantons Bacchus
15.Platee~Prologue: L'Origine de la Comedie: Ouverture
16.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 1: Orage et Recit: Dieux, qui tenez l'univers
17.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 1: Descente de Mercure et Recit: Mais, je vois Mercure descendre
18.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 2: Recit: Mercure, apprenez-nous / Air: Par quelque feinte ardeur
19.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 3: Ariette badine: Que ce sejour est agreable! / Recit: Sur quoi fondez-vous l'esperance / Air: Habitants fortunes
20.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 3: Annonce du ch?ur et Air: Que vos voix m'applaudissent / Ch?ur: Que nos voix applaudissent
21.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 4: Recit: Quelque douce inquietude
22.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 4: Air et Recit: Pour un amant qui sait plaire / Air "Je m'attendris!
23.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 4: Quatuor: Dis donc / Recit et Quatuor: Naiade, apaisez-vous
24.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 5: Descente de Mercure et Recit: Deesse qui regnez / Air: Le croirai-je, beau Mercure / Duo: Platee a merite / Recit: Mais ce dieu plein d'ardeur
25.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 5: Ariette: Quittez, Nymphes
26.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 6: Ch?ur: Epais nuages
27.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 6: Premier et deuxieme Tambourins
28.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 6: Ariette: Soleil, fuis de ces lieux
29.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 6: Air: Nymphes, les Aquilons viennent troubler
30.Platee~Premier Acte: Scene 6: Orage