Poulenc: Les mamelles de Tirésias / Le Bal masqué

Poulenc: Les mamelles de Tirésias / Le Bal masqué

Set to a text by Guillaume Apollinaire that combines nonsensical images with some serious underlying thoughts, Les mamelles de TirÃ©sias is a 52-minute, two-act operatic romp and makes a fascinating contrast to Poulenc's more familiar La voix humaine. With his usual pert lyricism and cabaret-like rhythmic underpinnings, the composer keeps his listeners thoroughly entertained. Along with Apollinaire, Max Jacobs was a leader of the Dada movement, and some of his rather illogical poems were delightfully set as a cantata for baritone and small instrumental ensemble as Le bal masquÃ©. Wolfgang Holzmair sings effectively, as does the entire cast for Les mamelles. The orchestra plays with great proficiency, and the international cast sings well. If the opera performance lacks the charm of the early-1950s Angel recording by AndrÃ© Cluytens, there is no use crying over spilt milk. The new version is far better recorded and is the only one currently available. --Paul Turok
Country USA
Manufacturer Philips
Binding Audio CD
ReleaseDate 1999-02-09
UnitCount 1
UPCs 028945650425
EANs 0028945650425

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