Sapho (1993)

" "Sapho" was Gounod's first opera, composed in 1850 at the behest of Pauline Viardot, who took the title-role when it was performed at the Paris Opera the following year. It is a fascinating piece, above all because one can hear the composer gain confidence from the ceremonial First Act, through the intrigue and rivals' quarrel of the Second, to achieve a really tragic and individual form in the last. This recording originates in a production at St Etienne in 1992. There is consequently a fair amount of stage noise and applause. Gounod later reshaped the opera twice, as a two-act piece in 1858, then in four in 1884. Patrick Fournillier has reconstructed the original three-act version and he conducts with vigour and obvious relish." (gramophone.com)

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