Ibert: Angelique

 Opera no 145

Ibert: Angelique

Soloists

Teatro Massimo de Palermo

Yoram David

This was thee briefest opera so far in this project. The whole thing lasts about 40 mins but a significant part of that time - perhaps a third - was spoken dialogue, so there was certainly less than 30 mins music., I found it entertaining in a diverting sort of way. This is very much in a 1920s Stravinsky manner with touches of les Six and perhaps the merest hint of Ravel. The harmony is very much of the french ‘wrong note’ style and the rhythms are full of syncopations influenced by Latin American folk music and perhaps early jazz.  Nothing lasts long enough to become routine and the whole thing is quite infectious. It is very much a jeux d’esprit and is a product of its time. I don’t know how well it would go down in a modern revival - it might be possible to do it in a double or triple bill with some Poulenc or Milhaud.