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Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande

Baritone Bernard Richter and soprano Sara Blanch star in Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande with the chorus and opera of La Scala, Milan and conductor Maxime Pascal.

Maxime Pascal conducts Romeo Castellucci's production of Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande at La Scala, Milan.

Crafted from Maurice Maeterlinck’s symbolist drama of the same name, Pelléas et Mélisande is the only opera Debussy ever completed and follows the love triangle between its main protagonists. Prince Golaud weds the mysterious Mélisande after encountering her lost in a forest and sets up home at his grandfather's Castle. Melisande, though, becomes increasingly attached to Golaud's younger half-brother, Pelléas, causing Golaud's extreme jealousy and ending in disaster.

Presenter Martin Handley is joined by French music scholar Caroline Potter.

Recorded at La Scala, Milan, in April

Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande

Pelléas ..... Bernard Richter (baritone)
Mélisande ..... Sara Blanch (soprano)
Golaud ..... Simon Keenlyside (baritone)
Geneviève ..... Marie-Nicole Lemieux (contralto)
Arkel ..... John Relyea (bass)
Little Yniold ..... Allegra Maifredi (soprano)
Doctor ..... Zhibin Zhang (bass)
Shepherd ..... Geunhwa Lee (baritone)

Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan
Maxime Pascal (conductor)

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Opera on 3."

Release date:

3 hours, 28 minutes

On radio

Sat 7 Nov 202618:00

Broadcast

  • Sat 7 Nov 202618:00