Search - Jean-Baptiste Lully, Philippe Herreweghe, Guillemette Laurens :: Lully - Armide / Laurens · Crook · Gens · Rime · Deletré · Ragon · Collegium Vocale · La Chappel Royale · Herreweghe

A powerful rendition of one of opera's greatest moments.

Aaron J. Marx | Stevens Point, WI United States | 04/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lully's Armide is considered the highpoint of his collaboration with the librettist Quinault, and indeed all of France's Tragedie Lyrique. This recording really brings out Lully's genius. The structure is much different from Italian opera seria, for those of you who have gotten used to the endless alternation of recititative and aria--much more focus is put on the recitative aspect. When the arias do come, however, they pack an incredible dramatic wallop, beautifully illustrated in the end of act II with Armide's aria "Venez secondez me desires" subsequent to her famous monologue "Enfin, il ist en ma puissance." Herwegghe leads his ensemble in a virtually flawless and scintilating performance. The grand passacaile in act V is simply breathtaking. Guillame Laurens is incredibly powerful as the title role. This is a great recording. I highly recommend it for any fan of Baroque opera."

Lully's masterpiece?

Steven Guy | Croydon, South Australia | 09/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many will probably now own the Minkowski recording of Gluck's Armide.



But I invite you to travel back in time nearly one hundred years to a very different world, a world without clarinets and Jean-Philippe Rameau. This is the world of the Sun King, Lully and his Tragédie Lyriques.



I cannot recommend this recording too highly. The cast is first class - Guillemette Laurens, Howard Crook, Véronique Gens, Bernard Deletré, Gilles Ragon and Noémi Rime are here. The incredibly beautiful and talented harpsichordist and conductor, Emmanuelle Haïm, is one of the four keyboardists in the continuo section.



This opera is not inferior to Gluck's later work in any way. In fact, some scenes - as in Acte II, Scène 3, "Plus j'observe ces lieux" - are actually superior to the same scenes in Gluck's setting of the same libretto. I think that this may be Lully's greatest opera.



I hope that this work is recorded on DVD one day. However, until that time comes, please seriously consider this superb recording of this opera.







"

Why Herreweghe?

Armida | Mombasa, Kenya | 03/09/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Armide is Lully's last - and in my opinion, best - opera. So, why not 5 Stars? The music is first class; the singers are the best in French opera. If "le perfide Renaud me fuit" doesn't grip you, nothing will.



My problem is with Herreweghe's detached and lifeless direction; just 2 Stars for him. He approaches the opera as if it were performed in church: reverent, academic and stripped of emotions. Lully's music is passionate and erotic. Remember, this was the man, who crushed his own foot thumping the beat of the music with his staff! In Herrewghe's approach, the man might have dropped a wet rag. The French reviewer complained that the "northern fogs" cloud Herreweghe's interpretation of this work.



Armide is one of the best operas ever written (and although I love Gluck's version, it can't hold a candle up to Lully). I hope the opera will be re-recorded, with the same singers, but directed by Minkowski, Rousset or Niquet."