Worth exploring, yes. But do expect to be alternately pleased and disappointed, perhaps over the course of ten minutes. I tried Le Prophete on the strength of an enthusiastic recommendation and Schumann-Heink's classic rendition of "Ah, mon fils," but the thing just didn't add up for me. Whatever depth there is in his stories, his music seems rarely to find it.

This is terrific, though:

I think Meyerbeer needs singers who can make you listen, and spectacular staging to make you watch.

 

That was quite a good performance! Thanks. I enjoyed that!

 

You might find this useful... Unknown composer #2: Giacomo Meyerbeer

And some recent articles:

Enrique Mazzola (conducting Meyerbeer in Berlin this year): https://bachtrack.com/interview-enrique-mazzola-deutsche-oper-berlin-meyerbeer-trilogy-january-2020

Alex Ross: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/10/22/the-dark-prophetic-vision-of-giacomo-meyerbeer

Zachary Woolfe: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/28/.../music/heard-of-giacomo-meyerbeer-hes-on-the-cusp-of-a-musical-renaissance.html

 

Wow! That is incredibly thorough, even more than I thought I would want. Thank you!

 

Try some recital recordings first ...
Diana Damrau (soprano) on Erato or
Joyce El-Khoury (soprano), Michael Spyres (tenor)The Hallé, Carlo Rizzi on opera rara

 

Thanks.

I have this which is a fun place to start (although there's no singing):

View attachment 132342

 

Dr. Shatterhand, do you have any more information on the Minkowski recording of Les Huguenots? Has it been released commercially? Is it totally complete (someone on YouTube said part of the ballet was cut)?

 

A friend created the world's first complete recording of Les Huguenots, assembling extracts from -Bonynge, 1969 (Studio); Diederich, 1990 (Montpellier); Minkowski, 2011 (Brussels); Mariotti, 2016 (Berlin); and Soltesz, 2019 (Dresden).
Link:

 

Les Huguenots has a spectacular live recording from La Scala in 1962 in Italian as Gli Ugonotti
The cast is unmatched - and in their prime. This'll give you an idea of what a complete Meyerbeer opera would be like. Since I'd never heard Les Huguenots before, in French or otherwise, the language never sounded "wrong" to me.

 

His hit opera is Les Huguenots and this is possibly the best all round studio recording:

It's very long being a French grand opera and is uneven in terms of how good the music is, however it is very enjoyable. I saw a wonderful production in Paris last year and it was devastating (as it should be - I won't spoil the ending for you).

I have also seen Robert le diable and whilst that has its moments (the ballet in act three and most of act four), it is mostly uninspired doggerel.

I don't know his other operas, but those that are the better known from the rest of his works are Le prophete (mentioned above) and L'africaine. I would start with Les Huguenots first though and see how you find that.

N.

 

Les Huguenots is your best shot, followed by Robert le Diable. I've also heard Le Prophète, Dinorah, Il Crociato in Egitto, Semiramide and L'Africaine, but I don't have much recollection of them, which is usually not a good sign.

 

I enjoy Huguenots/Ugonotti

For Huguenots there is a live set with Gedda from Vienna

For Ugonotti Corelli, Sutherland, Simionato etc is superlative.

There's a fascinating clip of Lauri-Volpi at his peak

(there's also an RAI all-Italian cast recording from 1955 when he was old but still interesting)

 

O beau pay is one of the most spectacular arias Sutherland ever performed. Not sure about the rest. It is really special in the opera version as there is a wonderful female chorus that adds to the grandeur.

 

This one is very good. On You Tube but no subtitles.

 

Anyone know where I can get an English translation of the libretto of Les Huguenots ?

 

Try this one adriesba ( long read )

https://dp.la/item/14f5ac5417619691978a0a6d189e1398

 

Is it lager or ale?

 

Actually, isn't this the same as the one Roger sourced? Sorry - can't find another so far.

 

Nver heard of him but it sounds interesting!