The golden era of French Grand Opera lasted roughly only 40 years from 1827 to 1867, yet its importance for its time and its effect on later European opera, as well as its place as a progenitor of the modern musical theatre is inarguable. Drawing from that genre for its latest intriguing concert entitled “French Opera Jewels,” the Amadeus Chamber Ensemble led by conductor Brian Salesky delved deeply into a cache of musical gems—some familiar and some rarely heard. The Sunday evening concert was part of the ongoing Cathedral Concert Series at Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Northshore Drive.
Four soloists—soprano Rochelle Bard, mezzo-soprano Diana Salesky, tenor Aaron Short, and baritone Nathan Matticks—along with a 41-member orchestra and a 12-member men’s chorus, handled nine curated selections from the French Grand Opera:
One of the most visibly affecting selections came from Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers) by Georges Bizet, “Au fond du temple saint,”a duet for Mr. Short and Mr. Matticks.
On the hauntingly beautiful and familiar side, Ms. Bard and Ms. Salesky took “The Flower Duet” from Delibes’ Lakmé, with Ms. Bard following with Meyerbeer’s “O beau pays” from Les Huguenots, one of the most oft-quoted examples of grand opéra.
One of the lesser-heard gems on the program was Fromental Halévy’s “Rachel, quand du Seigneur” from La Juive, a gorgeous tenor aria from Mr. Short that includes a equally gorgeous duet for two English horns, performed here by Claire Chenette and Deniz Ayca Yayman.
Admittedly, Rossini’s Guillaume Tell (William Tell), his final opera, is mostly known for its ubiquitous overture, but it does fall into the category of Grand Opera due to its scale and first production by Paris Opéra at the Salle Le Peletier. The Act I duo: “Où vas-tu? featured the well-matched Mr. Short and Mr. Matticks.
The program also included a poignantly performed Méditation from Thaïs by Jules Massenet, which featured Ms. Salesky and the Chorus along with ACE concertmaster Miroslav Hristov in the solo violin role.
Such a grand opéra survey would not be complete without mention of Gounod’s Faust, represented here by the final trio for Ms. Bard, Mr. Short, and Mr. Matticks.
The final Amadeus Chamber Ensemble concert in the Cathedral Concert Series of this season is “Fiesta Española!” on May 26. That concert will feature soprano Maria Brea with works by Albéniz, de Falla, Turina, Obradors, and others.
