Saint-Saëns - Henry VIII - Acte III : Le Synode, final

Extrait de la production du Théâtre impérial de Compiègne. Mise en scène de Pierre Jourdan.
Henry VIII : Philippe Rouillon
La Reine Catherine d'Aragon : Michèle Command
Le Légat du Pape : Gerard Serkoyan
Emission consacrée à Henry VIII de Saint-Saëns sur Canalculture :
canalculture.co...

[@markbeck8384]

I agree this is slightly static in production; though beautifully costumed and sung. The Henry and Catherine are very good! How masterfully composed this scene is. I am so thankful for productions like this of an outstanding Opera. Saint-Saens certainly knew how to use a chorus!

[@sergiolcb]

Saint-saens used some ancient English themes found in London Library that forms the efficient final of act 3. Wonderful chorus.

[@baltoman24]

@kidnap2010 Hello! I was so pleased to hear from you- what a great experience for you. The costumes were wonderful and the theater looks magnificent. I have the dvd (from Kulture) that I think is still available; I have enjoyed watching it over and over! Overall I thought the production was superb- musically extraordinary. It was supposed to be staged at the Metropolitan in 1906 - but somehow, was not done-possibly because Saint-Saens would not conduct Samson as an oratorio! Thank you.

[@kidnap2010]

OMG. I can't beleive I never saw that message... Thanks for all your good words. I was indeed a great experience for me. Thats a great opera, often overlooked because it was not played for so long, but so many duos and solos are powerful. I do have the dvd too, unfortunately the quality of the 90s recordings shows but nevertheless its really enjoayble. As very often in the theatr business, costume designers aren't given credit for, only the chief designer is there, my name and some of my colleagues are only on the dresser credits. Doesn't matter but we didn't get pictures or anything after the show, although we have been promised. I have a couple of mediocre pictures I've made myself :) Sorry for the 12 years gap in my reply :)

[@BasilikonD]

Une pépite de KZbin! On reconnaît Michèle Command en Catherine d'Aragon. Qui sont les autres?

[@sonoporti]

@kidnap2010 L’archevêque de Canterbury que l'on voit ici est Jean Marc Loisel, une des rares traces de cette basse et artiste magnifique.

[@13001jm]

Merci de votre gentil commentaire..JML

[@baltoman24]

This exciting act, beautifully written by Saint-Saens is not fully realized in terms of the static staging, but the singers are very good particularly Michele Command and Phillipe Rouillon. The agitation, conflict and triumph of the music is not equalled by the stage picture. Would love to see this work done by a major company that has the resources to do it justice.