Lesser-known Massenet opera recordings

[Alan Howe]

...i.e. excluding Manon and Werther, a helpful series of reviews by Ralph Moore:
https://musicwebinternational.com/2024/11/recordings-of-fifteen-lesser-known-massenet-operas/

[Maury]

Very glad to see this. Ralph and I were Amazon conversationalists for a decade in the comments section before Amazon wiped out all the comment sections. That's when he moved to musicweb full time. It is indeed disgraceful that not even the French make much effort for Massenet apart from the St Etienne festival out in the provinces. Modern day opera composers could learn a big lesson from Massenet's Cherubin, spinning an excellent opera out of thin air.

I should note I already have all but a few of the recordings mentioned by Ralph Moore. The one I was most disappointed in was the Rudel Cendrillon which for me does not have any magic to it. . Mr Moore also expressed reservations. There are some worthwhile DVDs. The most spectacular recording is Esclarmonde with staggering singing by Sutherland.

The one noteworthy opera he skipped probably because of the very recent recording was Ariane. by  Laurent Campellone, conducting the Bavarian Radio Orch.. It comes n a book format.

 https://www.amazon.com/Massenet-Ariane-Munchner-Rundfunkorchester/dp/B0CBSSCDL6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music

[Alan Howe]

I trust Ralph Moore's opera reviews: he's not afraid to critique singers when they fall short.

[Mark Thomas]

I have most of the recordings Mr Moore reviews and can't disagree with a word he writes - both about the performances and the music itself. Esclarmonde was the second opera LP set I bought, almost 50 years ago now, and it has remained one of my favourites for all the reasons given in this excellent survey. Well worth a read.