Fausto by Louise Bertin - Interview with Christophe Rousset, Karine Deshayes and Ante Jerkunica

'Fausto' by Louise Bertin ‘French opera’ series | volume 38 | 2024 | Bru Zane Label Bilingual CD-book in French and English 2 CDs / book: 192 pages 💿 https://bit.ly/Fausto_ENG World premiere recording. Opera semiseria in four acts. Libretto by the composer, translated into Italian by Luigi Balocchi. First performed in Paris at the Théâtre-Italien on 7 March 1831. Christophe Rousset conductor LES TALENS LYRIQUES FLEMISH RADIO CHOIR with Karine Deshayes, Karina Gauvin, Ante Jerkunica, Nico Darmanin, Marie Gautrot, Diana Axentii, Thibault de Damas It was around 1825 that Louise Bertin, pupil of Reicha and friend of Berlioz, tackled the subject of Faust with all the energy and confidence of a young woman of twenty. She entirely exceeded the public’s expectations and won over the critics with her daring. Colourful orchestration, charming cantabiles, vigorous choruses – everything seemed to promise the work would enter the repertory. But the closure of the Théâtre-Italien after just three performances in 1831 decided otherwise, and the score languished in the vaults of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France for 190 years. Though created with a tenor Fausto, the opera was conceived for a mezzo soprano, Rosmunda Pisaroni. It is this initial version – never heard before, even in the composer’s lifetime – that is championed by Christophe Rousset in a complete recording with period instruments. Recording from 15 to 18 June 2023 at the Seine Musicale (Paris). Scores: Palazzetto Bru Zane #LouiseBertin #Fausto #BruZaneLabel