Description:

While this Geneva performance of Les Troyens is far from complete, it strikes a commendable balance in presenting Berlioz’s sweeping vision without either excessive pruning or indulgent padding. The adaptation avoids the extremes—neither brutally amputating the score nor restoring music best suited to 19th-century audiences more distracted by business dealings, flirtations, or sherbet than by drama. What remains is taut and effective.

Guy Chauvet delivers a convincing Enée, navigating the punishing tessitura with remarkable command—including a full-voiced high C in the Act V aria. From his entrance in the Carthage section (“Reine, je suis Enée”), he exudes the kind of heroic charm that makes Didon’s instant infatuation entirely believable. Evelyn Lear offers a noble and sensitively drawn Didon, regal yet emotionally vulnerable. Gisela Schröter’s Cassandra, however, lacks the vocal and dramatic urgency the role demands.

The supporting cast includes fine contributions from John Macurdy as a solid Narbal and Jules Bastin as Panthée.

In Mono

OD 11346-3