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

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.