Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)
David et Jonathas (1688)
Reinoud Van Mechelen (tenor) – David
Caroline Arnaud (soprano) – Jonathas
David Witczak (baritone) – Saul
Geoffrey Buffière (bass) – L’Ombre de Samuel
Virgile Ancely (bass-baritone) – Achis
Antonin Rondepierre (tenor) – Joabel
François–Olivier Jean (tenor) – La Pythonisse
Marguerite Louise Chorus and Orchestra/Gaétan Jarry
rec. live, 12 &16 November 2022, La Chapelle Royale du Château de Versailles, France
Text in French, English and German
Château de Versailles CVS102 CD/DVD/Blu-ray [118]
Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s compositions were always hampered by Lully’s total dominance of the court at Versailles as well as Académie Royale. It was for this reason (and despite Lully’s sudden death 11 months earlier) that Charpentier’s tragédie lyrique, David et Jonathas received its premiere at the Jesuit College, Louis-le-Grand, in February of 1688. Charpentier’s work is notable for having broken completely with the Lully model for the tragédie lyriques, especially in regards to its complete integration of the choral and dance divertissements with the plot structure.
In the spirit of the first performance, Director Marshall Pynkoski has created a lively production with the action played out on a small stage that has been erected in front of the altar of the Royal Chapel at Versailles. The atmosphere from the larger expanses of the chapel somehow infuse the performance with a dignity and sense of purpose that might not have registered as easily had it been performed in the closer environment and drier acoustic of the Versailles opera house.
Pynkoski and his choreographer spouse Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg have a long history of setting superb standards in authentic baroque performance staging in their native Canada. In this production Versailles now benefits from their utterly authentic yet imaginative take on performing tradition. Action and dance are impressively integrated without anything drawing undue attention to itself. Everything blends together in total harmony to propel the story forward. Even the costumes by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix achieve the impossible of always looking historically correct, yet there are subtle touches which show the designer’s sense of fashion playfulness remains present.
The musical standards of this live recording are among the best to be seen in France today. Gaétan Jarry directs the ensemble that he founded with passion and obvious gusto. The chorus and orchestra are in perfect synch with their maestro and all seem to be operating at a heightened pitch throughout the performance.
The soloists are a well-chosen group of professionals giving their utmost to both the score and the staging. David Witczak is a commanding Saul and achieves the right balance to convey Saul’s authority and the tortured inner soul of a King who is losing his mind. As David, Reinoud Van Mechelen gives another deeply affecting portrayal, sung with impressive control. He is to my ears the finest among the current crop of high tenors who assume the leading roles of the French baroque repertoire. Geoffrey Buffière’s Ghost of Samuel makes one sit up and take notice of this imposing bass. Virgile Ancely reveals a strong and incisive voice in his performance of the noble Achis. The true villain of the opera is the tenor role of Joabel, and Antonin Rondepierre seethes with plenty of venom and sings with a fine concentrated tone. Caroline Arnaud is a wonderfully affecting Jonathas, especially in her long Act Four lament. However; I find her a little less sweet of tone than Collette Alliot-Lugaz was on William Christie’s 1988 recording for Harmonia Mundi. François–Olivier Jean enacts a very sinuous Pythonisse but his light character-tenor seems a little short at the top of his range for this role.
This release is one of this label’s occasional multimedia extravaganzas in which they release the full performance on CD, DVD and Blu-ray all together in the same box. I have only auditioned the Blu-ray version which demonstrated the highest standard of picture resolution and sound of great immediacy. The recording also boasts notably impressive bass response. All things considered, this highly desirable set deserves recommendation.
Mike Parr
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Production staff
Director – Marshall Pynkoski
Choreographer – Jeanette Lajeunesse Zingg
Set designer – Antoine & Roland Fonatine
Costume designer – Christian Lacroix
Lighting designer – Hervé Gary
Technical specifications
DVD Region Code: NTSC All regions
Blu-ray Region code: All regions
Sound formats: Dolby Digital 2.0
Video Specs: Not Given
Subtitles: English, French, German
