Georges BIZET (1838-1875)
Clovis et Clotilde - Cantata à trois voix (1857)[34:26]
Te Deum (1858) [18:12]
Katarina Jovanovic (soprano); Philippe Do (tenor)
Mark Schnaible (bass)
Choeur Régional Nord - Pas-de-Calais
Orchestre National de Lille/Jean-Claude Casadesus
rec. Auditorium du Nouveau Siècle, Lille, France, 6-9 July 2009
NAXOS 8.572270 [52:38]
Here are two youthful works by Bizet written while he was still a student.
Both are dramatic and theatrical, not surprisingly considering the future
operatic work of this composer. His Clovis et Clotilde gained
him second place in the prestigious Prix de Rome competition but it was decided
that Bizet should be the one that was sent to Rome. Bizet’s Cantata
tells the story of the Frankish King Clovis and how he was converted to Christianity
through his wife Clotilde. This was before he went on to establish Frankish
rule throughout what is now France through victorious battles.
This rare performance of Clovis et Clotilde displays Bizet’s
remarkable early confidence. It begins with an imposing Overture, noble and
heroic with a tender middle section that nods towards Mendelssohn and Schumann.
Scene 1 has a recitative in which an anxious Clotilde awaits news of Clovis
away at battle but convinced of his success. Following on is her aria ‘Romance’
in which she fondly remembers his handsome looks, his romantic nature and
his prowess with the javelin. Glorious-voiced Katarina Jovanovic finely balances
queenly dignity with wifely concern. Scene 2 comprises an impassioned dialogue
between Clotilde and Bishop Remigius (an oaken-voiced and authoritative Mark
Schnaible) who encourages her to pray for her husband’s victory. Scene
3 has Clotilde at prayer pleading for the safety of Clovis. This is a deeply
poignant episode with Jovanovic most affecting. Scene 4 comprises four thrilling
heroic duets between Clovis and Clotilde in which a virile but somewhat lightweight-voiced
Philippe Do - in comparison to the darker-coloured more imposing voice of
his Clotilde - discusses the details of his victories. Casadesus’s orchestra
vividly sketches in the battle scenes. Scene 5 has the Bishop pouring blessings
and prayers for peace and prosperity on Clovis’s France and its peoples
- all this over an exquisite, rippling harp solo. The three singers join in
an exciting and enraptured trio of celebration. In short this is a work of
youthful ardour that should have received more recognition.
No less committed is Bizet’s grandiose Te Deum - written with
the memory of Berlioz’s grand work echoing in his head one might imagine.
The Te Deum was written one year after Clovis et Clotilde while
Bizet was studying in Rome. The work failed to win a prize. Consequently Bizet
shrugged it off thinking that religious works were not really his forte. It
remained unpublished until 1971. It has to be admitted that this reviewer,
new to this work, felt that the Tu rex gloriae movement leans perilously
towards banality at times. It is saved by Jovanovic in full-throated powerful
mode. In the moving Te ergo quaesumus she is correspondingly tenderly
affecting. Bizet is at his most comfortable in the opening Te Deum laudamus
where he is in full-blooded heroic mode. Philippe Do is more impressive in
this work allowing full rein to the lower register of his voice.
Two colourful youthful works, full of ardour, and worth consideration.
Ian Lace
Two colourful youthful works, full of ardour, and worth consideration.