The new album from baritone Michael Spyres, 'In The Shadows', is yet more proof that the singer never stops redefining perceptions of lyrical singing. 'In The Shadows' is an album dedicated to Wagner and the origins of his musical dramaturgies. Spyres explains that: "this album aims to shed light on the composers who worked in Wagner's shadow: those who founded the aesthetic of his composition and who sculpted the vocal model that would become the Wagnerian tenor." 'In the Shadows' begins with arias from the early 19th century by European composers: Méhul, Beethoven, Rossini, Meyerbeer, Weber, Auber, Spontini, Bellini and Marschner. It concludes with three works by Wagner - from Lohengrin, Die Feen and Rienzi. Michael Spyres is accompanied by Les Talens Lyriques, conducted by their leader Christophe Rousset. The tenor Michael Spyres will perform, on period instruments, the arias from the works that "prepared" the Wagnerian earthquake, among which Méhul, Rossini, Meyerbeer, Beethoven, Auber, Spontini, Bellini, Marschner, Weber have been selected, in other words, works from bel canto, French grand opera and German Romantic opera. Some are very well known and have already been sung by the "barytenor", others are rarer. Spyres will also perform, with Les Talens Lyriques, three excerpts from Wagner, including two chosen from his early works, Die Feen and Rienzi. The CD will end with "Mein Lieber Schwann" from Lohengrin. As Christophe Rousset pointed out, the desire to return to the pitch and instruments of the period (when, notably, artificial strings did not exist) allows singers to approach repertoires reputed to be difficult for voices, with complete peace of mind without being obsessed with the decibels needed to "get past" the orchestra.
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