On 5 May 1821, Napoleon Bonaparte passed away. It was the end of the extraordinary epic of a little corporal who became emperor of the French. Idolised, detested, no matter: he was omnipresent, and particularly in the world of the chanson. It is his history that Arnaud Marzorati is singing in this album. Backed by a trio of leading singers, Les Lunaisiens (French vocal and instrumental ensemble) are accompanied this time by Les Cuivres Romantiques (a period instrument brass ensemble); these latter enable us to listen to the original pieces as would have been played by the wind band of the Garde Consulaire, later Impériale. The world of Napoleonic music, however, is not just illustrated on the battlefield and this album casts light onto other sectors of the music in the time of the Emperor. First of all, the street, where popular singers would assail the crowds, be they veterans or conspirators. Secondly, there is the salon with the romance as performed here by Sabine Devieilhe, witness to an art of elegance and refinement 'à la française' that played a leading role in the sacralisation of the figure of the Emperor. With this vivid, varied album, with a surprising range of sounds, Arnaud Marzorati and Les Lunaisiens offer us a masterful sound track of the life of Napoleon. Piano, serpent and barrel organ also appear as accompanying instruments.
Fanfare à l'étendard / Buhl (:29) -- Te souviens-tu / Joseph Denis Doche (2:42) -- Sonnerie de trompette / Buhl (:18) -- Adieux d'une Mère à son fils / Beauharnais (2:58) -- Les pommes de terre / anonymous (2:18) -- Les Français au Général Bonaparte / Bécourt (1:55) -- Les mérites de Bonaparte / anonymous (1:57) -- Complainte de la machine infernale / anonymous (5:46) -- Marche du Premier Consul / Paisiello (1:16) -- Le sacre de Napoléon Vadé (3:45) -- Adagio & Polonaise / Buhl (1:26) -- Les pupilles de la garde / Puget (3:07) -- La victoire est à nous / Gretry (1:10) -- Chanson de l'Oignon / anonymous (3:48) -- Le conscrit / anonymous (3:13) -- Le Roi d'Yvetot / anonymous (2:38) -- La campagne de Russie / anonymous (2:33) -- Pas redoublé No. 4 / Cherubini (1:29) -- Le Tombeau de Joséphine / Romagnesi (3:39) -- La Bataille de Waterloo / Désaugiers (4:29) -- Marche no. 2 / Cherubini (2:06) -- Les souvenirs du peuple / anonymous (4:55) -- Sainte-Hélène / anonymous (4:30).
Language (note)
Sung in French.
Title
Sainte-Hèléne : la légende napoléonienne.
Publisher
[Brussels] : MUSO, [2021]
Type of content
performed music
Type of medium
computer
Type of carrier
online resource
Digital file characteristics
audio file
Performer
Sabine Devieilhe, soprano ; Arnaud Marzorati, baritone ; Les Lunaisiens ; Les Cuivres Romantiques.