Pierre Boulez, Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera - Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande (2002/1992)
Pierre Boulez, Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera - Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande (2002/1992)
NTSC 16:9 (720x480) VBR | Francais (Dolby AC3, 2 ch) | (Dolby AC3, 6 ch) | (DTS, 6 ch) | 7.71 Gb+2.21 Gb (DVD9+DVD5) | 158 min
Classical | Deutsche Grammophon | Sub: Francais, English, Deutsch, Espanol, Chinese
NTSC 16:9 (720x480) VBR | Francais (Dolby AC3, 2 ch) | (Dolby AC3, 6 ch) | (DTS, 6 ch) | 7.71 Gb+2.21 Gb (DVD9+DVD5) | 158 min
Classical | Deutsche Grammophon | Sub: Francais, English, Deutsch, Espanol, Chinese
Peter Stein staged the work for Welsh National Opera in 1992 and won universal praise, as did Pierre Boulez for his conducting. Within austere, wholly appropriate sets, beautifully lit by Jean Kalman, Stein catches the very essence of this singular and elusive piece. Each of the 15 scenes is given its own distinctive décor in which the action is played out on several levels – high for the tower scenes, low for the eerie, subterranean grottoes, for instance. A masterstroke is the subtle evolution from one scene to another in view of the audience, offering a visual counterpoint to the interludes.
Stein sees that Debussy's instructions are scrupulously observed. In fact, as a whole, this is an object-lesson in modern staging. Stein and his collaborators reflect the ebb and flow of crude realism and fragile dream-life that permeate the score, which Boulez has identified as lying at its heart. Director and conductor worked closely with each other over a six-week rehearsal period, something unlikely to occur today, so Boulez's interpretation is in complete accord with the staging, his musical direction at once direct and luminous, timbres finely balanced one with the other.
The cast also benefited from the long gestation.
Alison Hagley catches ideally the paradox that is Mélisande, candour married to duplicity, and sings the enigmatic character with an acute ear for French syllables. Neill Archer, though not quite as responsive to the French language, is a poetic, youthfully ardent Pelléas. Donald Maxwell's Golaud rightly stands at the centre of the production, conveying guilt, jealousy and self-torment in tellingly intense tones. Kenneth Cox is a grave, world-weary Arkel, Penelope Walker a properly dignified, compassionate Geneviève.
The treble singing Yniold is remarkably assured. This is a riveting experience. (The Gramophone)
Cast:
Mélisande - Alison Hagley
Pelléas - Neill Archer
Golaud - Donald Maxwell
Arkel - Kenneth Cox
Geneviève - Penelope Walker
Yniold - Samuel Burkey
Le Berger/Le Médecin - Peter Massocchi
Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera
Conductor - Pierre Boulez
01. Opening Credits
Act 1
02. "Je ne pourrai plus sortir"
03. "Pourquoi pleures-tu?"
04. Interlude
05. "Voici ce qu'il écrit à son frère"
06. "Qu'en dites-vous?"
07. Interlude
08. "Il fait sombre"
09. "Hoé! Hisse hoé!"
Act 2
10. "Vous ne savez pas où je vous ai menée"
11. Interlude
12. "Ah, ah, tout va bien"
13. Interlude
14. "Oui, c'est ici, nous y sommes"
Act 3
15. "Mes longs cheveux descendent"
16. "Que faites-vous ici?"
17. Interlude (Scene 1)
18. "Prenez garde! Par ici"
19. Interlude
20. "Ah, je respire enfin!"
21. Interlude
22. "Viens, nous allons nous asseoir ici"
Act 4
23. "Où vas-tu?"
24. "Maintenant que le Père de Pelléas"
25. "Pelléas part ce soir"
26. "Je suis trop vieux"
27. Interlude
28. "Oh! Cette pierre est lourde"
29. "C'est le dernier soir"
30. "Pelléas!" - "Mélisande! Est-ce toi, Mélisande"
31. "On dirait que ta voix"
32. "Quel est ce bruit?"
DVD 2:
Act 5
01. "Ce n'est pas de cette petite blessure"
02. "Mélisande, as-tu pitié de moi?"
03. "Qu'avez-vous fait?"
04. "Qu'y a-t-il?"
05. "Attention… attention!"
Pierre Boulez, Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera - Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande (2002/1992)
Pierre Boulez, Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera - Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande (2002/1992)
Pierre Boulez, Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera - Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande (2002/1992)
Pierre Boulez, Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera - Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande (2002/1992)
