Platee

Splendid! This is the Platée DVD to get.
Jean-Philippe Rameau's Platée, or Junon jalouse, was written in 1745, half way between Castor Et Pollux (1739) and Zoroastre (1749). As with his other comédie lyrique Les Paladins, it is in 3 acts, perhaps influenced by the Italian models. (On the other hand, Rameau's tragédies en musique are usually in 5 acts, following the tradition set by Jean-Baptiste Lully.) Laurent Pelly's splendidly imaginative production is matched by good singing and acting from the cast: Paul Agnew in the title (skirt) role is as good as he ever has been. Laurent Naouri brings to the role Cithéron uncanny sense of comedy et une voix magnifique. Mireille Delunsch's La Folie (Folly) almost brought the house down in her long "aria" in Act II! However, the most remarkable...

Much better lighting and color but still silly but fun.
In reviwing the initial release of the DVD on Kulture I was turned off by the boxy sound of poor quality and the relentlessly dark tone of the color photography. This "remastered" edition certainly corrects these defects so that it is now a pleasure to watch. On several viewings I now find it much more enjoyable to experience than on the old disc. It is still a silly romp but I have mellowed a bit and really now find it fun and enjoyable. The acting of Paul Agnew is really quite exceptional as is the whole cast. The frog chorus, the gods and the swamp "things" all come off very well. This time around with the very much improved sound I began to really appreciate the dexterity and cleverness of the Rameau music. The music is at times masterful in it's parody and imitation as the onomatopoeic chatter of frogs, birds, rainstorms, hurdy-gurdy and Platee's constant frog-like "quoi?". Comedic music had pretty much disappeared from the French stage after Lully had eleminated comic episodes...

a 5 star croak!
Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!
To hear & see it is to believe. A little known gem with a terrific performance & concept.
Hop to it quickly.

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