Gramophone Magazine
November 2024
Editor's Choice

Sabine Devieilhe (Alphise), Reinoud Van Mechelen (Abaris), Benedikt Kristjánsson (Calisis), Thomas Dolié (Borée), Philippe Estèphe (Borilée), Tassis Christoyannis (Adamus/Apollon), Gwendoline Blondeel (Sémire/Nymphe/L'Amour/Polymnie); Orfeo Orchestra, Purcell Choir, György Vashegyi

“Rameau is one of the universal geniuses in European musical history, on the same level as Bach, Mozart and Haydn,” asserts conductor György Vashegyi. With this recording of Les Boréades Vashegyi completes an ambitious 10-year Rameau project, run in collaboration with the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles. It was launched in 2014 to mark the 250th anniversary of Rameau’s death and has encompassed some 30 concerts and 19 recordings.

Sabine Devieilhe – who made her Erato debut in 2013 with a Rameau recital – takes the central role of Queen Alphise, who must defy the traditions of her country if she is to marry the man she loves. The theme of freedom, ‘la liberté’, is important in Les Boréades, which was conceived in 1763 to mark the end of the Seven Years’ War.

Joining Sabine Devieilhe are Reinoud Van Mechelen, Tassis Christoyannis, Thomas Dolié, Gwendoline Blondeel, Benedikt Kristjánsson, Philippe Estèphe and the Orfeo Orchestra and Purcell Choir – both ensembles founded by Vashegyi. When he led these performers in a concert version of Les Boréades at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, Concert Classique declared that “Rameau’s genius shines through at every moment.” In September The Times selected this recording of Les Boréades as one of the best classical albums of 2024 so far, saying, “There’s so much to enjoy here.”

"In all respects, Vashegyi’s marvellous take on Les Boréades confirms how far Rameau’s art and ideas developed across his 30-year operatic career." - Gramophone Magazine, November 2024