PELLEAS ET MELISANDE, Complete Opera, DISQUE GRAMOPHONE DB 5161, 20 12" 78rpm

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Claude Debussy Opera  Pelleas et Melisande Disque Gramophone DB 5161 20 12" 78rpm records Symphony orchestra conducted by Roger Desormiere. Artists: Irène Joachim, Jacques Jansen, Henri Etcheverry, Geneviève Cernay, Paul Cabanel, Leïla Ben Sedira. Recording made in Paris, Salle du Conservatoire, from April 26 to May 26, October 6, 8, 9, 13, 16, 19 and November 19, 1941 Released in February 1942 Condition: E+ Records are stored in two binders, included with the purchase. When World War II arrived in France, Désormière found himself at the Opéra-Comique where he had been conducting since 1937. In the Chatou archives where all the technical studio data of Pathé Marconi were kept, I found the recording sheets of Pelleas et Melisande, recorded in 1941, from April 26 to May 26. According to archivist, every day, they recirded a maximum of two sides. Désormière said “it was not perfect” and had a large series redone in October (October 6, 8, 9, 13, 16 and 18), and again on November 17th, when the whole tower scene was redone. The result is an almost perfect recording of this work. This recording of "Pelléas" is much more than the masterful recording of a masterpiece. In fact, it is the sign, in the midst of the "National Revolution", of the sustainability of French culture and even of the resurrection of the French record. Press Release: Tuesday March 3, 1942 Pelléas et Mélisande in twenty discs Pelléas et Mélisande, one of the peaks of lyric art, now enriches the phonographic edition. The full registration of such a work is already difficult in normal times. Having achieved it and fully succeeded in the present circumstances by overcoming many difficulties, further adds to the merit of Mr. Jean Bérard, host of the “Voice of his master”. It is with the most meticulous care and without sparing repetitions that Pellêas et Mélisande was engraved on wax. All the problems which arose in reproducing without alteration such pure and subtly nuanced music, as well as in carrying out a judicious division of a work which lends itself so little to fragmentation, were solved thanks to the talent and the faith of those who managed or participated in this enterprise. Mr. Louis Beydts, who competently and skillfully assumed the artistic direction, the conductor Roger Désormière, who provided as at his desk at the Opéra-Comique, an interpretation faithful to the spirit of Debussyste, MG Viseur, the singer, formerly the 'one of Debussy's most appreciated collaborators, and the performers Miss Irène Joachim (Mélisande), Germaine Cernay (Geneviève), Leila Ben Sedira (Yniold); MM. J. Jansen (Pelléas), Etcheverry (Golaud). P. Cabanel (Arkel), Narçon (a doctor), conferred on this exceptional work, so lacking in the history of French culture, all its meaning. This presentation of Pelléas et Mélisand, springboard for dreams and expression of many secret aspirations, allows us to perceive all the beauties of the score and the poem.     Today, it is among the most precious pieces of all the discotheques that, thanks to this remarkable recording, the work of Debussy is placed, and Pelléas et Mélisande penetrates in many homes, creating a comforting poetic and enchantress in which mind and heart indulge. These twenty records also constitute, abroad, so many convincing ambassadors of French genius. M. Le B.