How many opera lovers know Lalo’s Le Roy d’Ys? I think few have even heard of it, let alone ever had the chance to see the opera. It is totally forgotten.
How unjustified that is, is proven by the performance recorded by Dynamic (33592) in Liège in April 2008. Le Rois d’Ys is a very melodious opera with many choral parts and duets, and the music is romantic and compelling.
The libretto is simple: the daughters of the king of Ys (an ocean-threatened city) love the same man. When he chooses Rozenn, Margared takes revenge. Together with Karnac (enemy of the city and of the king), she opens the floodgates, resulting in a flood. But Margared is consumed by guilt and sacrifices herself by jumping into the swirling waters. The city and its inhabitants are saved.
The staging is simple and realistic. The flood is depicted as a huge rainstorm. Not really threatening, but then again, all of us probably possess a healthy dose of imagination.
The cast is good to very good. Gylaine Girard is a fantastic, poised Rozenn. Her very flexible soprano has a particularly pleasant timbre. This is in rather sharp contrast to the mezzo Giuseppina Piunti (Margared), who is almost screeching at times. But she is so committed to the role that I soon forgive her.
We know Sébastien Guéze (Mylio) – among others – from his fantastic rendition of Romeo at the Saturday Matinee in 2008. He has a pleasant, light tenor with an unmistakable French touch, and his interpretation is really right for the role. Werner van Mechelen is a very good Karnac. Recommended!
Sébastien Guéze in the same production but from Opera St.Etienne :
Basia con fuoco 