"Morgiane" (1887) by Edmond Dede

[Finn_McCool]

It looks like the recording has been released.

https://operalafayette.org/morgiane-album/

I have tried listening on Spotify,  but I don't have the premium service and commercials come up every couple tracks, which would be fine except that Spotify keeps sending me to a different part of the opera after the commercials!

I ordered a physical copy, so I hope to be able to listen all the way through soon.  At any rate,  what I've heard so far has been really lovely.  The recording quality is better than I was getting in the videos and more balanced than I was getting at the performance where this was recorded. I think I prefer a fuller orchestral sound, but I know that Opera Lafayette are sticklers for period performance, so I am sure they are giving us exactly what's in the score.  The voices came out really nice and clear in the recording. I think it will be a good listen all the way through.

[Finn_McCool]

I received my CD of "Morgiane"  and it's a really nice package.  The liner notes talk about recovering the opera and putting together the performances that were recorded.  It's also noted that the opera was never performed or even "workshopped" in its day. 

I know I complained before about not being able to listen to the performance straight through on Spotify, but I actually haven't even done that since I've had the CD.  I listened to some on the way to work and I listened to parts as I was getting ready for bed, so I have still haven't really heard it all in order yet. I have heard the whole thing, though!  There are some really lovely moments,  like an aria for the Morgiane character where her lines are sort of commented on by a solo French Horn.  It's almost like a duet.  Very delightful.  Each person would probably have a different little moment that stood out for him or her.  What does come across on the recording is the enthusiasm of the audience.  I remember the atmosphere at the performance and everyone sounds as excited as I remember. It's a fond memory for me and the recording brings a lot of that back. I am wondering if it's a case of "you had to be there" or if the excitement in the concert hall will come across for everybody.  As I mentioned,  it's a very clear sounding recording, with no cell phone sounds or coughs that I could hear.  Probably the next step would be for a staged performance.