| Hélène | Nuit Persane - Review Extracts |
 Opera (UK) (March 2009) "Off they sail to Asia and immortal infamy while Guillaume Tourniaire, who has maintained the musical tension throughout, steers the Orchestra Victoria to triumph...this [Nuit persane] sumptuous half-hour of French hothouse decadence will leave the susceptible swooning." Classica-Répertoire (France) (February 2009) "A release that all lovers of French music should have in their collection." American Record Guide (US) (January/February 2009) "A most welcome revival it is!...The performance is also delightful." Le Monde de la Musique (France) (January 2009) "With a mysterious essence, the score is replete with oriental colours and offers thrilling effects." Fanfare (US) (November / December 2008) "A superb recording... a major discovery... ecstatic writing... from beginning to end Héléne captivates and holds a listener who is attracted to the perfumed world of this composer's best writing. The performance is splendid... an excellently engineered set... I recommend this with enthusiasm." Res Musica (France) (21 December 2008) "Rosamund Illing...is a great tragedienne - superb from start to finish...Nuit persane will touch the sensibilities of every music lover." "Rosamund Illing 's Hélène is womanly and heroic; as her warrior-lover, Steve Davislim is suitably ardent. Conductor Guillaume Tourniaire moves things along with real dramatic thrust." Classical CD Review (US) (October 2008) "This is unusual, worthy music, welcome additions to the catalog, superbly performed and recorded. Another class act from Melba!" Gramophone (UK) (Awards Issue 2008) "The Trojan tragedy with great tunes: Dame Nellie's hit is superbly restored... Tourniaire is a sympathetic conductor... Rosamund Illing... her bright clear voice is apt... The star performance comes from tenor Steve Davislim... With excellent sound... this is a most valuable issue." More information...... Opera Now (UK) (January/February 2009) "Héléne and Nuit persane are infused with the perfume of late 19th century Paris, the afterglow of Wagnerism and the intoxication of Baudelaire’s heady visions. Saint-Saëns’ description of a poème lyrique is apposite for Hélène, a lyrical yet static work. The Australian Orchestra Victoria loveingly plays it here. Hushed serene strings, held in perfect poise by Guillaume Tourniaire, create a mellifluous background for Rosamund Illing in the title role and Steve Davislim as her Paris …. is convincingly warm." Pizzicato (Luxembourg) (January 2009) "Melba Recordings has produced the first recording of this work that captivates with the splendour of its orchestration and its sensuality." The Hobart Mercury (Australia) (3 January 2009) "Soprano Rosamund Illing fits the bill as Hélène and leads an excellent cast of Australian talent." 3MBS Libretto (Australia) (December 2008/January 2009) "Rosamund Illing is in her element." More information...... International Record Review (UK) (October 2008) "...as the present release demonstrates, it has sufficient other virtues to merit a staged revival, either on its own or, better, as part of a suitable double-bill. Opera world, are you listening? More information...... Le Temps (Switzerland) (18 October 2008) "A beautiful discovery!" Limelight (Australia) (November 2008) "Rosamund Illing and Steve Davislim are in fine dramatic form as Héléne and Paris" More information...... Opéra (France) (November 2008) "Hélène…deserves to be known...a beautiful product." More information...... Anacluse (France) (October 2008)"Rosamund Illing, a lyric soprano with a brilliant upper register mellowed by great softness and smoothness, does well in the title role...Steve Davislim sings with supple elegance" More information...... The Weekend Australian (Australia) (18-19 October 2008) "A genuine treat." Turok's Choice (USA) (October 2008) "Impressive... superbly written... beautifully orchestrated... Illing sings superbly... Fine performances in exemplary sound." 2MBS FM (Australia) (October 2008) - Critic's Pick "The production of this recording is excellent. Orchestra Victoria and the Belle Époque Chorus are well-disciplined and expertly led by French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire... remarkable... ***** (5 stars)" The Guardian (UK) (24 September 2008) "Convincing and full of gorgeously coloured orchestral writing, and the singers, led by soprano Rosamund Illing and tenor Steve Davislim, do both works proud." The Times (UK) (13 September 2008) "Saint-Saëns' Helen of Troy is the archetypal late Romantic love victim, torn between duty and desire, haunted by lush strings, troubled arias and sugar-sweet ecstatic chords. Héléne is all epic Romantic sweep... driven on with conviction by Tourniaire..." OpusHD eMagazine (France) (September 2008) - Opus d'Or Award "Tourniaire gives us a little miracle of a recording, a crowning achievement... championed with brio and passion by these inspired interpreters. This vocal and musical discovery is a meeting of artistry. In either stereo or multi-channel, this beautiful recording on double SACD will leave no one unmoved." BBC Music Magazine (UK) (September 2008) "All credit to the highly enterprising Australian label Melba for following up their excellent SACD Ring with such a rarity. No expense spared, either, with superior presentation, excellent notes, and a first-rate cast... Performance: **** (4 stars)" SACD.net (UK) (30 August 2008) "Very imaginative and effective use of the surround sound... a gorgeous set that does justice to Saint-Saëns’ exquisite creations and is highly recommended. Performance/Sonics: **** ½ (4½ stars)" Forum Opera (France) (25 August 2008) "Tourniaire knows exactly how to emphasise the rare finesse in the luxuriant orchestration... The singers impersonate their characters precisely; from the dark tones of Zan McKendree-Wright - a tragic Pallas - to the lightness of Leanne Kenneally, a narcissistic and sensual Venus, on to the youthful enthusiasm of Steve Davislim, his Paris conforming to the image one has of the son of Priam... wily, seductive and irresistible..." "Another ambitious project from pocket Australian label Melba; another triumph... Illing is particularly fine... The two-Super Audio CD set is superbly presented and sounds marvellous. **** (4 stars)" ABC Classic FM (Australia) (22 August 2008) - CD of the Week "Nuit Persane... the remarkably sexy French narration was by Amanda Mouellic... Orchestra Victoria – how good do they sound?... It’s in super audio surround sound – that’s why it sounded so good..." Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) (16 August 2008) "This revival of Saint-Saens's now-forgotten opera, Héléne... is of genuine significance... Rosamund Illing's voice is strong and voluptuously coloured as Héléne, while Steve Davislim's tenor as Paris is light, lyrical and soaring... Tourniaire leads a strong orchestra and chorus with sympathetic intelligence." Music and Vision (UK) (14 August 2008) "Unparalleled, ground-breaking standards in the production, presentation, packaging and design... a performance of avowed commitment... time after time [one could] single out phrases expertly and lovingly accomplished... top of its class." Courier Mail (Australia) (7 August 2008) "This recording project, an Australian masterpiece, is loaded with history... an ideal Melba project for international release. ***** (5 stars)" Positive Feedback Online (USA) (August 2008) "Melba Recordings has come to our rescue and brought us rare Saint-Saëns masterpieces and glorious performances yielding sheer musical pleasure. The unearthing of Héléne and the tone poem Nuit Persane are true delights for the ears. They combine superb singing and conducting from start to finish... these are a must own." MusicWeb International (UK) (August 2008) "There is some lovely music here... beautiful moments... passionate... strong, dramatic, and thrilling... highly enjoyable... a fine addition to the Saint-Saëns oeuvre" Musical Criticism (UK) (August 2008) "Australian label, Melba, is to be congratulated for exhuming Saint-Saëns' Héléne, composed for the Théâtre de Monte-Carlo and first performed there by Nellie Melba in February 1904." New Classics (UK) (July 2008) "Invaluable... This historic first recording... is a rare opportunity to hear an unjustly neglected work by one of the twentieth century’s most prolific and versatile composers... The beautifully packaged double SACD comes with a lavish colour booklet..." Classique News (France) (21 July 2008) "Deserving of being restored to the repertoire... particularly convincing... Tourniaire creates dreamlike atmospheres, delicate and powerful... Steve Davislim... dominates the cast." |