Massenet, Thais, seigneur ayez pitié de moi, c´est toi mon père, Andrée Esposito, Massard - YouTube pslogge

The desert of Thebaide, Egypt. 4th century A.D. A hive of monastic life during the early Christian years. `Seigneur ayez pitié de moi...`: Albine and her nuns are praying around the dying courtisane Thais who has repented (as though that was the problem in her life!). Three months of praying and fasting have transfigured her (drained life from her, see, psychanalysis was not invented yet!). Athanael, the fanatic monk who obsessively was trying to ´save` her, denegating his desire for her, shows again. ´C´est toi mon père?...`. 03:41. Thais recognises him. In a superb and exalted duo she evokes the hours of their way into the light. Athanael remembers only her ´mortal beauty` and his oppressed desire. (I bet he would). The perfect and insoluble misunderstanding -so people, waste no time! Thais thanks him for leading her into the truth (as though her own truth was not enough!). She raises dazzled in a divine vision and then collapses dead. Athanael desperate falls at her feet. After that si bemol pp of hers, I would too... All this happens in the opera Thais, 1894, by Jules Massenet, 1842-1912. Libretto by Louis Gallet after the book by Nobel prized author Anatole France. His books were prohibited by Vatican and I deeply thank him for that. The plot is about the never accomplished love, the never accomplished balance of mundanity and spirituality between an educated, beautiful courtisane and a fanatic monk. Yes, it is a clever libretto, they exist, do not be surprised. Andrée Esposito (b.1934) from France sings the part of Thais. A lyric soprano particularly associated with the french repertory and contemporary works. Her timbre and onstage presence finely represents the french ideals of singing. She is considered a reference Thais even though she was 25 years old at the time of the recording. In my opinion Andrée Esposito, along with Jacqueline Brumaire, are the absolute references in singing french operas because of their vocality, diction, refined portraying and musicality. They galantly leave hysteric screams for other ladies. Robert Massard, well known baryton, sings Athanael. Mezzosoprano Solange Michel the role of Albine- a pleasant surprise. Violin solo, Andre Auvigny. Albert Wolff conducts the Orchestra and the Chorus Radio --Lyrique (ORTF). 1959. In the video, a photographic journey in the craddle places of christianity. Some of the photos are mine. I admit that the most interesting ones were spotted and captured by great photographer Robert Polidori. Landscapes and temples from Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, plus two paintings by Alma-Tadema. Enjoy.

Massenet, Thais, seigneur ayez pitié de moi, c´est toi mon père, Andrée Esposito, Massard - YouTube
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