Comic opera in two acts and in verse
with recitatives by André Messager
Durand Edition
With
Florie Valiquette
Cyrille Dubois
Thomas Dolié
Anaïs Constans
François Rougier
Patrick Bolleire
Rouen Normandie Opera Orchestra
Concert Spirituel Choir
Hervé Niquet direction
Phryné was one of the Saint-Saëns's most performed and esteemed operas until the First World War, even competing with Samson and Dalila. The score, completed in March 1893, was premiered at the Opera-Comique on 24 May of that year.
It recounts the love affair between Nicias and Phryné, who dupes the old archon Dicéphile to avenge his cruelty.
The immediate success of the work in Paris quickly spread throughout France. In order to promote it in opera houses abroad, Durand published it in June 1896, with recitatives composed by Messager. The Palazzetto Bru Zane now offers the chance to discover this extremely rare version.
This recording was awarded a Diapason d'Or, on Februray 2022.
