Massenet Don César de Bazan

Don César de Bazan is an opéra-comique with a narrative of dashing Spanish chivalry and romance. Its plot revolves around deception and comedies of reversed identity, with a struggle between true nobility and wicked selfishness maintaining an animated momentum throughout. This was the young Jules Massenet’s first full-length opera and yet it is filled with the composer’s mature symphonic style, his gift for melody, feeling for the picturesque, and vivacity of rhythm. These distinctive qualities reveal an operatic feast whose time has at last arrived.

Of the three more substantial items, the two most familiar [Le Cid and the Scenes pittoresques]…are played by Neeme Jarvi and his Swiss orchestra with infectious panache and finesse.

Critically acclaimed for her rich voice and masterful musicality, French-Canadian mezzo-soprano Michele Losier presents her first solo recital with the ATMA Classique label. Losier has distinguished herself in many opera roles including Ascanio at the Dutch National Opera, Medea at Theatre des Champs-Elysees and Lille Opera, Prince Charmant at Opera-Comique, Nicklausse at Teatre del Liceu and many others.