Hérold: Zampa
Soloists
Munich Radio Choir and Orchestra
This is the latest recording in the invaluable Bru Zane series of neglected 19th century French operas. It arrived just in time to round of this series of French operas, though there will be another round before the end of the year.
I thought it was a fabulous work: an opera that I have enjoyed more than almost any more in this project to date. I was impressed by Herold’s Pre aux Clercs last year but this was even better. It has everything - catchy tunes, gorgeous vocal writing, humour and high drama. The idiom owes much to Auber, particularly La Muette but there are also hints of Rossini and perhaps the earlier generation of composers such as Boileudeu. But there is also a strong dept to the Mozart of Don Giovanni in the supernatural scenes - given that these feature a statue coming to life that is perhaps hardly surprising. The excellent notes (such a feature of these Bru Zane recordings) remind us that Don Giovanni was still a comparatively new work as far as French audiences were concerned. The extended organ solo which ends the second act inevitably brought the Phantom of the Opera to mind.
The overture to Zampa was at one time one of the most popular overtures and was often heard in bandstands as well as in the concert hall. These days such overtures don’t get performed much, but this one still gets the occasional airing. It is very much a pot pouri of some of the best tunes in the opera and it was fascinating to hear such familiar melodies in context.
So a delightful way to end this series of French operas. Next I am turning to territory which is much less familiar to me and which I have struggled with in the past - post Wagnerian German opera.
