Louise

The Sun King’s Mass was without doubt one of the privileged rites for the standing glory of the sovereign, as much because of its splendour, as for its ceremonial aspect, which brings time to a halt, solidifying the eternal image of royal power. The greatest composers of the kingdom distinguished themselves by making the holy service a veritable heavenly concert. The bell rang, the fifes and drums announced the arrival of the king in the gallery, the organ burst forth, the Grands Motets by Lully and Delalande enthralled under the golden vaults, the delicate and intimate petits motets by Couperin appear with grace in the alcoves of the Royal Chapel…

Refusing to pander to the classical pop market, "Quebec's answer to Pavarotti," Marc Hervieux, continues with his quest to bring opera in its purest form back to the charts with his third studio album, A Napoli. Indeed, the follow-up to 2010's Tenor Arias suggests that the Montreal Conservatory of Music graduate still isn't yet concerned with making his craft accessible to the wider public as he confidently tackles 15 of his favorite Neapolitan songs, most of which will be only familiar to opera aficionados.