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About Debussy: Pelleas Et Melisande
Every recording of Debussy's mysterious, fascinating Pelleas has something new and interesting to offer. This set, recorded live in Paris, gives us Bernard Haitink's leisurely, suggestive conducting and the chorus and orchestra of Radio France delivering the music beautifully. Anne Sofie von Otter is a Melisande to wonder about. She covers all the role's puzzles: How much is she in charge? Whom does she love? What does she want? And all along, von Otter sings meltingly. She's matched by the ardent Pelleas of Wolfgang Holzmair, who is so passionately smitten by her that he's near bursting by Act IV. Laurent Naouri, in the all-important role of Golaud, starts off trustingly and kindly. When his suspicions about Pelleas and Melisande begin to consume him, his anger is terrifying. The others in the cast are equally good. This isn't as openly dramatic as Abbado's reading on DG or as sharply etched as Boulez's interpretation, but it spins its magic very effectively. --Robert Levine
