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Thaïs
This performance from the Wexford festival belongs to the little-known baritone Thomas McKinney, in the showy role of Athanaël. McKinney has a lovely, supple instrument that he uses incredibly intelligently and with great attention to detail.
Jill Gomez' Thaïs fades into the background a bit when opposite him, but she more than holds her own in the role's challenging heights, floating effortlessly above the ensembles of Act I and plunging into despair for the Act II confrontation. Francis Egerton, a Covent Garden stalwart, gets a nice showing here as the playboy Nicias.
Track List
Act I
1. Voici le pain
2. Hélas! enfant encore
3. Vision
4. Toi qui mis la pitié dans nos âmes
5. Va, mendiant, chercher ailleurs ta vie!
6. Voilà donc la terrible cité!
7. Athanaël! c'est toi!
8. Je vais donc te revoir
9. C'est Thaïs, l'idole fragile
10. Qui te fait si sévère
11. Ah! je suis fatiguée à mourir!
12. Etranger, te voilà
13. Je suis Athanaël, moine d'Antinnoé!
14. Méditation
2. Hélas! enfant encore
3. Vision
4. Toi qui mis la pitié dans nos âmes
5. Va, mendiant, chercher ailleurs ta vie!
6. Voilà donc la terrible cité!
7. Athanaël! c'est toi!
8. Je vais donc te revoir
9. C'est Thaïs, l'idole fragile
10. Qui te fait si sévère
11. Ah! je suis fatiguée à mourir!
12. Etranger, te voilà
13. Je suis Athanaël, moine d'Antinnoé!
14. Méditation
Act II
15. Père, Dieu m'a parlé par ta voix!
16. Je ne veux rien garder de mon passé
17. Suivez-moi tous, amis!
18. L'ardent soleil m'écrase
19. Baigne d'eau tes mains et tes lèvres
20. La paix du Seigneur soit avec toi
21. Athanaël...qui l'a vu?
22. Qui te fait si sévère
16. Je ne veux rien garder de mon passé
17. Suivez-moi tous, amis!
18. L'ardent soleil m'écrase
19. Baigne d'eau tes mains et tes lèvres
20. La paix du Seigneur soit avec toi
21. Athanaël...qui l'a vu?
22. Qui te fait si sévère
Act III
23. Seigneur, ayez pitié de moi
24. Sois le bienvenu dans nos tabernacles
24. Sois le bienvenu dans nos tabernacles
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4.5
Based on 2 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Wonderful Thais
This is a beautifully performed Thais in excellent sound. Jill Gomez sings beautifully in this live version from the Wexford Festival. McKinney has a strong voice and plays his role wonderfully. I agree with Mr. Reynolds that this is a sleeper performance and I would not want to be without it. Thank you.
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✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Sleeper of a Thais With Two Impressive Leads
Most of us will look at this Thais and move quickly on to one of Opera Depot's other choices. As a Massenet lover I finally purchased it on sale. It's one of the best recordings I've ever bought from Opera Depot. First of all, the sound is from an excellent stereo broadcast. There's a hint of congestion here and there, but overall it's a pleasure to hear.More importantly, the performance is terrific. Baritone Thomas McKinney is so good as Athanael that one wonders what kept him from the spotlight. His is a beautiful, strong voice paired with excellent diction and a keen understanding of the role. His cry of anguish when confronted with the vision of Thais' death in Act Three, scene 2 is painful to hear. Gomez is probably better known for her work in contemporary opera and cabaret. She too has a lovely timbre and a secure grasp of the aging courtesan's character. For those who care about such things, she ducks Thais' optional high Ds and just touches the few Cs. No matter; Gomez sings so beautifully and in such clear French you won't care.Francis Edgerton actually makes something out of Nicias, a role that usually goes for nothing. The supporting cast is unusually good. Delacote gives us more of the score than we normally get. He cuts the role of La Charmeuse from the ballet and tightens up Act Three, scene 2, but at least we get some of that important, but often omitted scene.Massenet lovers should get this!
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