Lully, Rameau, Gluck et al - An Opera for Three Kings

The Guardian 60

Santon-Jeffery, Baráth, Dolié, Purcell Choir, Orfeo Orchestra/Vashegyi
(Glossa)

French music with a Hungarian twist as György Vashegyi and his Budapest band join forces with the Versailles Baroque Music Centre, conjuring up the splendour of 18th-century court celebrations for Louis XIV, XV and XVI. A skilfully chosen two-disc set demonstrates over the reigns of three monarchs where the originality of Lully and Rameau came from and where it led to. The most interesting predecessors are the ballets of Destouches and Dauvergne, full of sensual grace, and a magnificent choral Chaconne by Royer. Post-baroque, the foreigner Gluck sweeps all before him in the powerful extracts from Iphigénie en Tauride. Sprightly orchestral playing and solo singing, but not such a well-focused choir.