Hamlet 1921

Thomas Hampson's acclaimed portrayals of iconic roles in French operatic works have spanned the duration of his singular international career. A longtime champion of French repertoire, he has starred in the title roles of Chausson's Le roi Arthus at Opéra National de Paris; Massenet's Werther (baritone version) at The Metropolitan Opera and Théâtre National du Châtelet; Massenet's Thaïs (Athanaël) at Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Metropolitan Opera; Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann (Four Villains) at the Royal Opera House - Covent Garden; and Thomas' Hamlet at the Théâtre National du Châtelet. He has also performed in Massenet's Manon (Lescaut), Gounod's Faust (Valentin), Berlioz' Les Troyens (Chorèbe), and Poulenc's Les mamelles de Tirésias (Gendarme). Additionally, Hampson has been featured on critically lauded recordings of Faust, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Thaïs, and Werther. Mr. Hampson carries the title of Commandeur dans l Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of the Republic of France.

For 30 years Michel Plasson has recorded French music exclusively for EMI Classics. This exclusive box is truly unique as it covers all the masterpieces of French repertoire: concertos by Ravel, Fauré's Requiem, Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Bizet's only symphony, L'Arlesienne; Lalo's Symphony; etc . . .

Throughout history men have feared madwomen, burning them as witches, confining them in asylums and subjecting them to psychoanalysis – yet, they have also been fascinated, unable to resist fantasizing about them. For their new disc, Carolyn Sampson and Joseph Middleton have created a programme that explores the responses of a variety of composers to women whose stories have left them vulnerable and exposed. As a motto they have chosen an aphorism by Nietzsche: ‘There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.’

Throughout history men have feared madwomen, burning them as witches, confining them in asylums and subjecting them to psychoanalysis – yet, they have also been fascinated, unable to resist fantasizing about them. For their new disc, Carolyn Sampson and Joseph Middleton have created a programme that explores the responses of a variety of composers to women whose stories have left them vulnerable and exposed. As a motto they have chosen an aphorism by Nietzsche: ‘There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.’

For 30 years Michel Plasson has recorded French music exclusively for EMI Classics. This exclusive box is truly unique as it covers all the masterpieces of French repertoire: concertos by Ravel, Fauré's Requiem, Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Bizet's only symphony, L'Arlesienne; Lalo's Symphony; etc . . .