Search - Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, Hervé Niquet, Stephan Van Dyck :: Boismortier - Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse / S. Van Dyck · R. Biren · M. Hall · P. Gay · Le Concert Spirituel · Niquet

A charming twist on the story of Don Quixote.

02/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I find the opera Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse the culimination of Boismortier's career, for it contains such a variety of ideas and motifs that it could only be the product of a seasoned composer. The plot is a takeoff of the classic story of Don Quixote. The characters are at once charming and witty, and the events of the story are so surprising, unexpected and humorous that while listening to the opera for the first time I burst out laughing in many places at the hilarity and sheer novelty of the work. This opera is a magnificent contrast to the typically dark and dramatic Baroque opera. The words are pushed along by a vivacity and life I have never experienced in any other music. Typically, Boismortier is dismissed as a minor composer of the Baroque, but, considering myself a person quite knowledgeable of music of this period, I can not understand why anybody would think this. During his life Boismortier was one of the most prolific and successful composers in all of Europe. His melodies are sweet and simple, joyful and above all full of a love for life that have seen in the works of no other composer. I have nothing but praise for this man and his music, and I can wholeheartedly recommend the purchase of his opera Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse."

A must for baroque music lovers!

Gabriel Bell | Montevideo, Uruguay. | 02/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"French Baroque Opera is often regarded as serious, mithologic, dramatic and ..."a little bit boring" as an english traveler of the XVIIIth century said (Dr. Charles Burney?). But with this recording by Naxos you won't have any chance but to disagree with him. Hervé Niquet is a master of his art and takes the challenge of this brillant score with passion, energy and humor. The orchestra and the singers are superb, with that very french witty style and elegance. The clarity and transparency of sound are so overwhelming that it mekes you feel as if you were enjoying an aristocratic divertissement in one of those french chateaux of the XVIIIth century instead of being listening to it at home...you need only to close your eyes and imagine you are just there!"

Boismortierian Parody

R. Holmes | East Boston, MA USA | 11/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This opera is based on the less familiar second part of Don Quixote. The Don and Sancho are guests of a humorous Duke and his Duchess who play a number of cruel practical jokes on the pair - softened by Boismortier's librettist, thankfully. The opera is an unusual parody of the tragic operas of the century, much as Quixote is a parody of the material many of these operas were based on. It is amusing as parody and the music is quite good. The performance I would rate highly; it is high in quality as well as sprightly and in keeping with the comic intent. I recommend this energetic piece to anyone as a useful tonic to Lullian-Rameauvian tragedy. I have given this production five stars. If I could add a star for packaging, I would. Let me just gild that fifth star a little because of the enclosed booklet which (unlike Naxos's usual practice) contains a complete libretto with English translation. For the price, this a real bargain. I believe we have the Duchy...pardon me...the Region of Lorraine to thank for providing the financing that makes this possible. In any case this is another feather in the helmet of Herve Niquet and the Concert Spirituel."