Massenet: Thaïs

Nicole Chevalier is a superb actress and camps up the glamourpuss courtesan well...Wagner is a very good Athanaël, full of zealous fire, firmly sung. — Gramophone Magazine, December 2021 More…

Release Date: 24th Sep 2021
Catalogue No: 805004
Label: Unitel Editions

Massenet: Thaïs

Nicole Chevalier (Thaïs), Josef Wagner (Athanaël), ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Leo Hussain
Arnold Schoenberg Chor

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With the "Méditation", Jules Massenet probably wrote one of the most famous melodies of our time. It originates from his Comédie-lyrique "Thaïs", which – unlike Massenet's operas "Werther" or "Manon" – never made it into the international opera repertoire. Presumably because the two main roles of Thaïs and Athanaël demand something almost superhuman from the singers. In the new production by Peter Konwitschny at the Theater an der Wien, the American soprano Nicole Chevalier is one of the most exciting singers currently on stage in the title role. At her side, the young Austrian bass-baritone Josef Wagner celebrates his house debut. This is a fascinating and musically excellent performance of a timeless classic of the opera repertoire. “Gigantically well told (...) Grandiose!” (Der Kurier) // “An acoustic delight” (Der Standard)

Reviews

December 2021

Nicole Chevalier is a superb actress and camps up the glamourpuss courtesan well...Wagner is a very good Athanaël, full of zealous fire, firmly sung.

January 2022

Vienna’s Thaïs passes the crucial test. The protagonists’ duel is gripping, physically and spiritually, supported by Leo Hussain’s responsive conducting and an ardent orchestral contribution... Ultimately it is Chevalier’s majestic performance that stays in the mind.

Massenet: Thaïs

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