This is Rameau's 1754 revision of Castor et Pollux, performed by Toronto's Opera in Concert and the Aradia Ensemble from a score prepared by conductor Kevin Mallon. Though it is a studio recording, it followed closely on the heels of a series of live performances, and it benefits from the spontaneity and dramatic energy gained from them. The Canadian cast, led by Colin Ainsworth and Joshua Hopkins in the title roles, deals with the score capably, and Mallon leads the Aradia Ensemble in a clean, well-paced reading of the ...
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This is Rameau's 1754 revision of Castor et Pollux, performed by Toronto's Opera in Concert and the Aradia Ensemble from a score prepared by conductor Kevin Mallon. Though it is a studio recording, it followed closely on the heels of a series of live performances, and it benefits from the spontaneity and dramatic energy gained from them. The Canadian cast, led by Colin Ainsworth and Joshua Hopkins in the title roles, deals with the score capably, and Mallon leads the Aradia Ensemble in a clean, well-paced reading of the orchestration. Hopkins (Pollux) and Monica Whicher (Télaïre, his fiancée) make the best vocal impression, singing with both style and authority. The "Tonnerre" (thunder scene) from Act V is especially striking, with added percussion effects to simulate wind and rain. ~ Allen Schrott, Rovi
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