Tag: Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House

Title: Earnest Ansermet, Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House – The Royal Ballet Gala Performances (1959) [Japan 2016]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

In the hearts of thousands, No.1 on the Top RCA list. While the bulk of famed conductor Ernest Ansermet’s recordings were made with L’Orchestre de la Susise Romande, there were a few with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra and the very occasional foray into recordings with London orchestras, one of these being with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1959.

This is the stuff of which dreams are made. The Royal Ballet Gala is one of the finest RCAs recorded in London’s Kingsway Hall. The chunks of great ballet music are well served by orchestra, conductor and engineer. Performances are executed to a very high standard — the Royal Opera House Orchestra, both then and now, rank as one of the finest of opera orchestras. Conductor Ansermet keeps the pace moving, giving the listener the impression of a dance event rather than a dramatic concert hall reading. With the exception of some of the Tchaikovsky scenes, the music is light and remains so under Ansermet’s gentle touch. Each ballet is given full attention by the players, something not always attained at Covent Garden during long ballet nights! The threat of eternity does have its merits. The recorded sound is simply amazing! Lustrous is one word that comes to mind, accurate is another.

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