Thaïs
Jules Massenet (Composer), Ailyn Pérez (Performer), Jean-François Borras (Performer), Gerald Finley (Performer), Emmanuel Villaume (Conductor), Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.) (Performer, Performer)
Massenet's evocative opera about the struggle between worldly pleasures and the salvation of faith is something of a rare visitor to the Met stage. Only a handful of sopranos have sung the alluring title character with the company, and in the fall of 2017, Ailyn Pérez joined their ranks with a performance that combined lush lyricism and shimmering high notes. Opposite her as the conflicted monk Athanaël, Gerald Finely delivers his character's stern remonstrations with a rich, impassioned baritone. Conductor Emmanuel Villaume evokes a vivid range of orchestral colors from Massenet's score--which features the famous Méditation--and leads a cast that also includes tenor Jean-François Borras as Nicias and David Pittsinger as Palémon
Online Music, French, 2017
[Metropolitan Opera], [New York, New York], 2017