Mark Elder Review – Meyerbeer: The Prophet | Concert.de

The recording of “Le Prophète”, made in July 2023 during a concert, is like an award-winning documentary, with great clarity, precise perspective, correct distance and perfect focus. Meyerbeer’s vast paintings of sunrise and, above all, the central scene of the royal Anabaptists’ entry into Münster, are typical of the London Symphony Orchestra. What is striking about Mark Elder is that the fatal escalation of the fate of the three main characters, Jean, Fides and Berthe, is not accompanied by any expressive intensification of the singing. John Osborne in his second recording of the complex role, Elisabeth de Schong in the apotheosis of the resonant role, and Manny Galloyan as Berthe master the compelling composition with a vocal intelligence and power that never reaches the sublime. The spatial gradations are impressive, and the choral masses have an effective brilliance.

Meyerbeer: If the prophet

John Osborne (Jean de Leyde), Elizabeth de Chung (Fides), Manny Galoyan (Perth), Chorus of the Lyon Opera, Maitresse des Bouches du Rhône, Mediterranean Youth Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Mark Elder (Conductor)
LSO