Country : France / Québec Label : ATMA Classique Genres and styles : Classical Period Year : 2024

Arion Orchestre Baroque, Mathieu Lussier/Mélisande McNabney/Magali Simard-Galdès/Nicholas Scott – Rigel : Le souffle de la Révolution

· by Frédéric Cardin

Heinrich-Joseph Riegel (known as Rigel in France) was a composer born in Germany (1741), but who lived most of his professional life in Paris (until his death in 1799). These fine performers, mostly from Quebec, in collaboration with the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, are giving us the chance to rediscover this almost totally forgotten figure. There are some very enjoyable excerpts from lyrical works, such as the ‘pastoral comedy’ Blanche et Vermeille, in which the superficial Blanche prefers a fickle Prince while her virtuous sister Vermeille finds happiness in the faithful Colin. Blanche et Vermeille was originally a morality tale (we guessed it!) by Marie Leprince de Beaumont, author of… Beauty and the Beast! The lyrical drama Alix de Beaucaire tells the story of a Lord’s daughter who is prepared to sacrifice herself to save her child, born of a union forbidden by her father. While Rigel’s moralizing in these two works is edifying, he veers completely into propaganda for Pauline et Henri in 1793. We are in the midst of the Terror in Revolutionary France (an episode of bloody dictatorship), and the story of a priest who finds a treasure and hands it over to the legitimate authorities has as much subtlety as a ton of bricks. 

Fortunately, after more than two centuries, it is easy to extricate ourselves from ideological considerations and appreciate the melodic skill of this composer. His writing is light and airy, conveying emotions that are simple and direct, but very pleasantly inviting. The excellent readings by Quebec soloist Magali Simard-Galdès, as agile as ever in her luminous soprano, and English tenor Nicholas Scott, with his measured timbre and elegant charm, are particularly noteworthy. 

To this very accessible lyricism we add a few instrumental measures, an area in which Rigel also stood out in his time. A Concerto for Pianoforte in F major and a Sonata in D minor give us another opportunity to hear Mélisande McNabney’s fine talent on the pianoforte, and the Symphony in G major, Op. 12, No. 2 opens the door to a reasoned display of colour by Arion and Mathieu Lussier.

All in all, a highly successful album of beautiful discoveries.

Latest 360 Content

A party with post-punk Brooklynites TVOD

A party with post-punk Brooklynites TVOD

FIRE! Orchestra at FIMAV: Power Trio Meets Canadian Community of Avant-Garde Players

FIRE! Orchestra at FIMAV: Power Trio Meets Canadian Community of Avant-Garde Players

Blondshell – If You Asked For a Picture

Blondshell – If You Asked For a Picture

Hitting a Fever Pitch at the Ribbon Skirt LP Launch 

Hitting a Fever Pitch at the Ribbon Skirt LP Launch 

Wu-Tang Clan & Mathematics – Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman.

Wu-Tang Clan & Mathematics – Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman.

Dalit Hadass Warshaw, Boston Modern Orchestra Project / Gil Rose – Sirens

Dalit Hadass Warshaw, Boston Modern Orchestra Project / Gil Rose – Sirens

Howard Shore/Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France – Shore : Anthology

Howard Shore/Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France – Shore : Anthology

Quatuor Diotima – Boulez : Livre pour quatuor

Quatuor Diotima – Boulez : Livre pour quatuor

LMNL – Rainbow

LMNL – Rainbow

Strat Andriotis – Exits

Strat Andriotis – Exits

Richard Reed Parry – The Actor

Richard Reed Parry – The Actor

Tamara Stefanovich – Organised Delirium

Tamara Stefanovich – Organised Delirium

Galan Trio – Embrace

Galan Trio – Embrace

Jack Van Zandt – A Chaos of Light and Motion

Jack Van Zandt – A Chaos of Light and Motion

Tommy Crane – Reality Curated: Live at Ursa

Tommy Crane – Reality Curated: Live at Ursa

Thomas DeLio – Anti-paysage

Thomas DeLio – Anti-paysage

No Hay Banda – Steven Kazuo Takasugi : Il Teatro Rosso

No Hay Banda – Steven Kazuo Takasugi : Il Teatro Rosso

Vancouver Contemporary Orchestra; Vancouver Chamber Choir – Christopher Tyler Nickel : Mass; Te Deum

Vancouver Contemporary Orchestra; Vancouver Chamber Choir – Christopher Tyler Nickel : Mass; Te Deum

Hypercube – The Force for Good

Hypercube – The Force for Good

PUP – Who Will Look After the Dogs?

PUP – Who Will Look After the Dogs?

Duo AYA – Cycles

Duo AYA – Cycles

Papillon Social Club – Dur de la feuille

Papillon Social Club – Dur de la feuille

Coalescent Quartet – The Wall Between Us

Coalescent Quartet – The Wall Between Us

Subscribe to our newsletter