Episode 344. Mady Mesplé Revisited

Episode 344. Mady Mesplé Revisited

This past March 7 would have been the 94th birthday of the great French coloratura soprano Mady Mesplé. This episode begins a new series of episodes devoted to “Queens of the Night,” the surprisingly wide variety of sopranos who at one time or another sang this role. After a sampling of Mesplé singing this role (in French), we also hear back to back comparisons with Janine Micheau (Mesplé’s teacher) and Mado Robin (one of Mesplé’s most famous predecessors); a Gounod duet with Nicolai Gedda; a stunning avant garde showpiece composed expressly for Mesplé; a series of mélodies by Debussy, Roussel and Ravel; a live late-career performance of Poulenc’s final composition, the dramatic monologue La Dame de Monte-Carlo; an effervescent live 1969 performance of Zerbinetta’s aria; and a deeply moving recording of La Mort de Socrate by Erik Satie. Further proof, if such were needed, of Mesplé’s versatility, virtuosity, and profound musicianship and humanity.

RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Emanuel Schikaneder: Der Hölle Rache [sung in French] (La flûte enchantée [Die Zauberflöte]). Mady Mesplé, Pierre-Michel le Conte, Orchestre Lyrique de l’ORTF [live 29.09.66]

Léo Delibes, Edmond Gondinet, Philippe Gille [after Pierre Loti]: Opening Salvo from the Bell Song (Lakmé). Mady Mesplé, Alain Lombard, Orchestre du Théâtre National de l’Opèra Comique [1970]

Johann Strauss II, arr. Franck Pourcel: Aimer, boire et chante [Wein, Weib und Gesang], Op. 333. Mady Mesplé, Franck Pourcel Orchestre [1971]

Charles Gounod, Jules Barbier, Michel Carré [after William Shakespeare]: Ange adorable (Roméo et Juliette). Mady Mesplé, Nicolai Gedda, Pierre Dervaux, Orchestre du Théâtre National de l’Opéra de Paris [1975]

Jacques Offenbach, Jules Barbier [after ETA Hoffmann]: Les oiseaux dans la charmille (Les Contes d’Hoffmann). Janine Micheau, Roger Désormière, Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris [1948]; Mady Mesplé, Jean-Pierre Marty, Orchestre du Théâtre National de l’Opéra [1968]

Auguste Bosc, Georges Millandy, Pierre Varenne: Griserie. Mado Robin, Jésus Etchéverry, Orchestre de l’Association des Concerts Colonne [1959]; Mady Mesplé [ORTF 11.XI.1971]

Philippe Capdenat: Croce e delizia [excerpt]. Mady Mesplé, Marius Constant, Ensemble Ars Nova [live Paris 13.II.1973]

Claude Debussy, Paul Verlaine: Pantomime, L.47. Mady Mesplé, Janine Reiss [1975]

Claude Debussy, Marius Dillard: Rondel chinois, L. 11. Mady Mesplé, Janine Reiss [1975]

Albert Roussel, Chang-Chi [translated by Herbert Giles, French adaptation by Henri-Pierre Roché]: Réponse d’une épouse sage (Deux poèmes chinois, Op. 35/2). Mady Mesplé, Dalton Baldwin [1987]

Albert Roussel, René Dommange: Jazz dans la nuit, Op. 38. Mady Mesplé, Dalton Baldwin [1987]

Maurice Ravel, Paul Gravollet: Manteau de fleurs, M.39. Mady Mesplé, Dalton Baldwin [ca. 1981]

Traditional Greek, arr. Maurice Ravel: Tripatos, M.A13. Mady Mesplé, Dalton Baldwin [1984]

Maurice Ravel, Léon-Paul Fargue: Rêves, M.79. Mady Mesplé, Dalton Baldwin [ca. 1981]

Francis Poulenc, Louis Aragon: C (Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon, FP 122/1). Mady Mesplé, Gabriel Tacchino [1986]

Francis Poulenc, Jean Cocteau: La Dame de Monte-Carlo, FP 180. Mady Mesplé, Michel Plasson, Orchestre Nationale du Capitole de Toulouse [live Paris, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, 14.V.1990]

Richard Strauss, Hugo von Hoffmansthal: Großmächtige Prinzessin (Ariadne auf Naxos). Mady Mesplé, Peter Maag, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande [Genève 20.02.69]

Erik Satie, Plato (translated Victor Cousin): Mort de Socrate [excerpt] (Socrate). Mady Mesplé, Pierre Dervaux, Orchestre de Paris [1972]