CD Review | Ambroise Thomas: Psyché, Hélène Guilmette, Bru Zane

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Ambroise Thomas: Psyché

Hélène Guilmette (Psyché), Antoinette Dennefeld (Éros), Tassis Christoyannis (Mercure), Mercedes Arcuri (Dafné), Anna Dowsley (Bérénice), Artavazd Sargsyan (Antinoüs), Philippe Estèphe (Gorgias)

Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Hungarian National Choir, György Vashegyi, conductor

Bru Zane, 2025

In the fall of 2024, Montreal audiences had the opportunity to discover Hamlet by Ambroise Thomas, a somewhat forgotten French composer whose music was met with enthusiasm. It has been a long time, however, since we heard Quebec soprano Hélène Guilmette, who has enjoyed a brilliant career, mainly in Europe, for more than 20 years. This complete recording of the opera Psyché, while a world premiere, allows us to reconnect with a highly underrated composer and a singer who is too rarely heard in Canada.

The libretto tells the story of the goddess Psyché, so beautiful that she arouses the jealousy of Venus, who swears to destroy her. Eros, who is in love with her, will save and marry her, despite the machinations of Mercury, sent by Venus, who seeks revenge. With a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré (lyricists of Faust and The Tales of Hoffmann, among other great successes), Ambroise Thomas composed a grand musical fresco that won over audiences at the time and even earned the admiration of the harsh Berlioz. Somewhat discombobulating, this romantic crossfire between gods and goddesses, who tease and tear each other apart, is reminiscent of both 18th-century French cantatas and the operettas that were beginning to become popular in Paris at the time of its creation (1857).

We hear melodies full of delirious vocalizations in the style of Rossini, spectacular act finales whose passion evokes Verdi, but also passionate lyrical flourishes worthy of Gounod, alongside moments of comedy that Offenbach himself would not have disowned! At ease in all styles, the composer gives free rein to his boundless imagination, his inexhaustible melodies, and his refined sense of orchestration.

The role of Psyché was supposed to be sung on this recording by Jodie Devos, the brilliant Belgian coloratura soprano who died too soon last year. Hélène Guilmette, while not quite so comfortable in her upper register, still has a lot to offer, starting with a fruity tone and rich midrange. Her impeccable diction serves an interpretation worthy of a great actress.

The two other main characters, Eros and Mercury, are sung by mezzo-soprano Antoinette Dennefeld and baritone Tassis Christoyannis, who prove themselves equal to the task and master their highly demanding arias.

Once again, Palazzetto Bru Zane has unearthed a sparkling gem from the cave of forgotten operas. As always, the accompanying texts are copious and illuminating. It is difficult to imagine how such a unique and rich score could be brought back to life on stage, but we can always dream while listening to this magnificent recording.

Translation: Lilian I. Liganor