Phryné

Description

On the occasion of the centenary of Camille Saint-Saëns' passing, the Palazzetto Bru Zane offers a chance to rediscover one of the most performed and appreciated operas during the composer's lifetime in a rare version. Completed in 1893 and premiered the same year at the Opéra-Comique, the opera humorously narrates the love story of Nicias and Phryné, who deceives the old archon Dicéphile to take revenge for his cruelty. The work, with its spirited melodies and delightful orchestration, enjoyed immediate success in Paris and then throughout France. It was enriched with recitatives composed by André Messager in 1896 to conquer foreign theaters. The fiery interpretation by conductor Hervé Niquet highlights the sections of the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Rouen Normandie and the Chœur du Concert Spirituel. This setting allows soprano Florie Valiquette to showcase her virtuosity alongside the refined lyricism of tenor Cyrille Dubois and the vocal authority of baritone Thomas Dolié.