Meyerbeer – Les Huguenots (Decca 430 549-2) – Joan Sutherland, Arroyo, Bonynge – New, Made in Germany
Condition: New – CD set and packaging are in pristine, near-mint condition. Factory shrink-wrap intact.
Label: Decca (Grand Opera Series)
Catalogue No.: 430 549-2
Made in: Germany
Format: 3-CD Box Set with Complete Libretto
Recording: 1970, Remastered in 1991 (ADRM – Analogue to Digital Remaster)
Conductor: Richard Bonynge
Orchestra: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Chorus: Ambrosian Opera Chorus
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Description
This is Decca’s legendary Les Huguenots by Giacomo Meyerbeer — a towering achievement of French grand opera — performed by an all-star cast led by Joan Sutherland, Martina Arroyo, Huguette Tourangeau, Gabriel Bacquier, Anastasios Vrenios, and Nicola Ghiuselev, under the baton of Richard Bonynge.
Recorded in London in 1969–70, this performance remains the definitive studio recording of Les Huguenots, praised for its vocal brilliance, historical significance, and sweeping grandeur. Bonynge’s leadership captures Meyerbeer’s vast musical architecture and the thrilling dramatic contrasts of the opera’s story — set against the tragic backdrop of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.
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Historical & Artistic Significance
Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots (1836) was one of the most influential operas of the 19th century, shaping the evolution of French grand opera and inspiring composers such as Verdi and Wagner. Its blend of epic scale, religious conflict, and dazzling vocal writing set a new standard for theatrical spectacle.
This Decca recording, produced during the golden age of opera on record, marked a revival of interest in Meyerbeer’s works. Joan Sutherland’s portrayal of Marguerite de Valois is celebrated as one of her most commanding roles — vocally majestic and dramatically nuanced.
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Critical Acclaim
• Gramophone Magazine: “One of the greatest opera recordings ever made… Sutherland is imperious, radiant, and vocally flawless.”
• Penguin Guide to Compact Discs: “An indispensable set — a landmark in recorded opera history.”
• Opera News: “Bonynge’s conducting brings both grandeur and intimacy… a monumental achievement in recording history.”
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Track Highlights
• “O beau pays de la Touraine” – Sutherland’s shimmering coloratura showcase
• “Plus blanche que la blanche hermine” – Urbain’s dazzling aria
• The final act ensemble – among the most moving scenes in grand opera
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Details
• Total running time: 217 minutes
• Remaster: Analogue-to-digital remaster (ADRM)
• Includes: Original booklet with libretto and notes (in English, French, German)
• Manufacture: Disc made in Germany; booklet and packaging printed in Germany
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Why Collectors Love This Edition
• Classic Decca Grand Opera box presentation
• The definitive recording of Les Huguenots
• Stunning vocal and orchestral sound in a beautifully remastered edition
• Long out of print and increasingly rare in sealed, new condition
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Shipping & Handling
• Free shipping! Ships securely
• Free domestic shipping (U.S.)
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Own a piece of opera history — a landmark Decca recording that defines the splendor of the Golden Age of Opera on record.