A Triumphant Debussy

A superb rendition from a fine vintage.

Composer: Debussy

Repertoire: Pelléas et Mélisande
Artists: Soloists, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vittorio Gui
Rating: 5/5

Genre: Orchestral

Label: Glyndebourne GFOCD 003-63


Here is another triumph, from the 1963 Glyndebourne season, to add to excellent recordings by Désormière, Boulez, Abbado and others. The star is the conductor Vittorio Gui, better known for his performances of Italian opera, who gets playing of beauty and subtlety from what, two years after his death, was still in effect Beecham’s orchestra. In a good cast, Hans Wilbrink and Denise Duval stand out as the lovers; the jealous Golaud is sung by Michel Roux, too mild at first but scarily impassioned later.