Saint-Saens (1835-1921) - La Princesse Jaune : Hussain / Toulouse Capitole Orchestra, Wanroij, Vidal, Constans (2021 Stereo)+Melodies Persanes - Import 2 CD

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Saint-Saens (1835-1921)

Description:

100 years after his death! Saint-Saens' Japonism opera "The Princess in Yellow," the first Saint-Saens opera to be performed in a theater, was premiered at the Opéra-Comique in 1872. It was influenced by the Japonism that had begun in Europe at that time. Since Sullivan's "The Mikado" was first performed in 1885, Van Gogh's "Oiran" in 1887, and Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" in 1904, it was one of the first works of this period. The setting is the Netherlands. Lena is in love with Cornelius, but Cornelius is infatuated with the Japanese woman in the painting, whom he names "Min. One day, Cornelius, drugged and dreaming, mistook Lena for Min, thinking she was in Japan. When Cornelius was strongly criticized for this, he came to his senses and was finally united with Lena. Although the first performance of the piece was a failure, it is full of charm, including the use of a five-note scale, tones that imitate Japanese instruments, and a sophisticated melody. The piece is also of particular interest to the Japanese, as it features Japanese waka poems such as "Utsusemishi kami wo aruheneba sakari itte," from the Manyoshu (The Anthology of Myriad Leaves), scroll 2, and Japanese words such as "Hello, it's a beautiful day," which are also included in the piece. It is also a pleasure to hear Wan Roy and Vidal, two of the leading figures in the world of French vocal music today.The "Persian Songs," originally for solo voice and piano, is also included here. Based on the "Persian Nights," Op. 26b, which was developed into two solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, the six songs of the "Persian Songs" are rearranged into a version with preludes and interludes. The witty inclusion of a singer of note in France in each song is also a must-hear. This is another work full of ethnic charm from the European perspective of the time. Naxos Japan

Saint-Saens Collection List