Presents historical background, an explanation of the plot, and a presentation of the main arias and themes from the opera, interspersed with historical and musicological narration.
Introduction to Claude Debussy (4:08) -- The influence of Wagner and atonality (3:14) -- Debussy's childhood and development (5:47) -- Maurice Maeterlinck (4:50) -- The story and opening (5:28) -- Golaud encounters Melisande (5:07) -- King Arkel's acceptance and the entrance of Pelleas (5:44) -- Pelleas and Melisande together (4:41) -- Golaud lies ill (5:12) -- Melisande at the window and Golaud's suspicion (6:15) -- Golaud uses Yniold (4:45) -- Act IV. Pelleas to depart ; Arkel and Melisande ; Golaud's anger (5:51) -- Yniold's scene ; the love duet (4:46) -- Pelleas : "We have broken the ice with red hot irons" (6:07) -- Act V (6:48).
Note
Libretto by Maurice Maeterlinck.
Music excerpts are from Naxos 8.660047-9 (1997).
Event (note)
Musical portions recorded at Opéra de Lille, France, Mar. 1996.
Language (note)
Sung in French; narration in English.
Source of description (note)
Description based on hard copy version record.
Author
Debussy, Claude, 1862-1918.
Title
An introduction to-- Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande [electronic resource] / written by Thomson Smillie.
Imprint
[Kowloon, Hong Kong] : Naxos, p2005.
Series
Opera explained
Opera explained.
Performer
David Timson, narrator ; Mireille Delünsch, Françoise Golfier, sopranos ; Hélène Jossoud, mezzo-soprano ; Gérard Théruel, Armand Arapian, baritones ; Jean-Jacques Doumène, Gabriel Bacquier, basses ; Chœur régional Nord-Pas-de-Calais ; Orchestre national de Lille ; Jean-Claude Casadesus, conductor.
Event
Musical portions recorded at Opéra de Lille, France, Mar. 1996.