Rameau: Les Indes Galantes (Christie)

Introduction

A performance from 2003 of Rameau`s extensive second opera (to be exact, opera-ballet) which extols the virtues of love that conquers all through adverse conditions. The stories in this piece are all set outside the confines, and comforts, of Europe and the court of Louis XV(everything outside this area was called `The Indies`) but these places are where, we are told, we can find true generosity and love not available closer to home.

Rameau developed this typically French art-form to great heights once Jean-Baptiste Lully had `converted` the Italian opera style bye the addition of several dance sequences - something French audiences could relate to, as they had generally preferred ballet to opera in the past.

The work is conducted by William Christie, directing orchestra and chorus of Les Arts Florissants, and was recorded over three nights at the Opéra National de Paris.

Video

In common with the other Opus-Arte releases, video is presented in region-free NTSC anamorphic widescreen.

The video quality on the DVD is excellent, and due to this, the incredible variety of stage designs and costumes used for this production are brought vivdily to life on screen. Marina Graghici certainly excelled herself!

Audio

The sound is clear and vivid (stereo or DTS surround) and there is no problem with the balance between orchestra and singers.

Features

Extras include a fascinating 50 minute documentary called `Swinging Rameau` (produced by Reiner E. Moritz) which goes into some detail about Rameau`s music (especially his dance music), and gives an insight into the process of bringing an 18th century theatre piece to the 21st century stage, yet still creating a hugely popular show.

In addition, the DVD comes with an informative booklet, giving some historical detail about the creation of the work through the words of Rameau`s librettist.

Subtitles are available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian, and the menu options are easy to navigate and allow you to skip to anywhere you may need. A slight annoyance (and this goes for all the Opus-Arte discs I have have reviewed) is that you keep having to choose your sound set-up every time you select a section of the opera.

Conclusion

I have to admit that this work was completely new to me (although those who listen to Classic FM from time to time will certainly recognise the music at the end), but I found it instantly likeable, despite beginning with the usual Baroque Classical mythical characters who appear at the start. However, this is something which was expected in operas then (staged Biblical depictions, I understand, were frowned upon at the time), yet Rameau and his colleagues created a set of stories which used real-life characters and situations which audiences would certainly have reconised, despite taking place in exotic non-European locations. Because of this, a thinly veiled satire on European culture and courtly life was made easier.

The `entreés` (and Prologue) in this sort of work could be added or removed on the whim of the composer but to create some form of continuity, each story is loosely connected.

The music is played with a great sense of style, not surprising when you consider Christie`s pedigree, and this is carried over onto the stage where the singing is uniformly excellent and the ballet sequences complement everything perfectly (some very modern looking choreography at times, but nothing ever seems out of place). I`m also impressed by the continuity of the whole thing as the DVD states it was recorded over three nights, but if we didn`t know this, it wouldn`t be noticeable.

As I have mentioned, the staging and costumes are fantastic, quite often giving the appearance of a pantomime, with oversized head-masks and cross-dressing, and even an audience-pleasing encore after the curtain calls when everyone performs the final music again, and we have the conductor joining in the dancing on stage.

All great fun, and a hugely welcome DVD!