Nouvelle publication de la chaîne YouTube de Carnets sur sol

Complete French text of this scene : http://operacritiques.free.fr/css/index.php?2008/09/23/1041-retour-sur-salammbo-de-reyer-extraits-sonores-en-premiere-mondiale

Nice adaptation by Camille Du Locle et Alfred Blau of Flaubert's Salammbô, with colours between Wagner, Debussy and French Grand Opera. It is the fifth and last opera written by Ernest Reyer (just after Sigurd). Created in 1898 at La Monnaie Theatre (Opéra de Bruxelles).

--

Scene of exposition in act I of Salammbô (Ernest REYER).

The mercenaries of Carthage wait, eating and drinking wildly, for the price of their blood. Mâtho has just accepted Narr'Havas's friendship (against Flaubert's novel). A long crying sound springs from the earth. There are slaves in the ergastulum of the Barca's palace (and Hamilcar is away). Mâtho come down to make them free. Here starts this piece.

Autharite, who leads the Gauls, announces brave Mâtho could be their commander-in-chief if Carthage refuses to pay (pic 1). Mâtho comes back with the slaves (pic 2&3); among them Spendius thanks the mercenaries warmly, opening his arms to liberty (pic 4).

But he tells them that the Sacred Legion can drink in golden cups (pic 5) and increases the soldiers' desire (pic 6). Despite Narr'Havas warnings, Spendius convinces them (pic 7). When they dispose to burn the palace in sign of protest, Giscon and a few senators appear (pic 8).

--

When I recorded this, the Marseille performances had not begun - it was the first time a portion of Salammbô, except the "Doves Aria", was recorded.

Disclaimer : Amateur recording (interpretation and sound). Moreover, I am playing and singing at the same time, which is not very helpful to do this correctly. It does not pretend to be an honest version of the score : it is only made to give some idea of rare repertoire. Not to propose a reference.

Further comments on the score (in French) :
http://operacritiques.free.fr/css/index.php?2008/07/30/996-ernest-reyer-salammbo-roman-gustave-flaubert-librettiste-camille-du-locle and other information (in French) on Ernest REYER : http://operacritiques.free.fr/css/index.php?Sigurd-d-ernest-reyer

--