Berlioz's symphonie dramatique Roméo et Juliette contains some of the composer's most immediately appealing music, but it's rarely performed, perhaps because its form is so eccentric. Berlioz was fond of creating works that blurred or intermingled conventional genres and Roméo is a classic example: described as a symphony, but having a distinct, familiar narrative trajectory, using soloists and chorus, and giving a prominent role to vocal and choral recitative. It's familiar largely through its purely instrumental sections, ...
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Berlioz's symphonie dramatique Roméo et Juliette contains some of the composer's most immediately appealing music, but it's rarely performed, perhaps because its form is so eccentric. Berlioz was fond of creating works that blurred or intermingled conventional genres and Roméo is a classic example: described as a symphony, but having a distinct, familiar narrative trajectory, using soloists and chorus, and giving a prominent role to vocal and choral recitative. It's familiar largely through its purely instrumental sections, especially the "Queen Mab Scherzo," but it makes its strongest impact as a complete work. For the listener open to Berlioz's characteristic individuality and quirkiness, Roméo et Juliette richly rewards investigation. One of the most striking aspects of this 1986 recording was the decision to cast soprano Jessye Norman in the part written for an alto, but it's an entirely apt choice. Norman easily has the solidity the part requires in its lower register, and in its upper stretches,...
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