Ensemble Notturna
André Grétry
L ' Amant jaloux
About
L'Amant jaloux (1778) by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (1741-1813) was one of the most popular operas of its time. The work is cast in the light, frothy style favoured under Louis XV and is suspected to have inspired Mozart in his Le nozze di Figaro.
Our version of Grétry’s opera is in ‘concentrated’ form, in an anonymous period arrangement for traverso, oboe, violin, viola and bass. Transcriptions of operas were fashionable in the late eighteenth century, and many of Mozart’s and Grétry’s staged works were arranged for smaller chamber ensembles such as string quartet or wind octet.
Although there are no voices involved in our performance, the beauty of Grétry’s melodic writing transcends form and medium to make this arrangement entirely successful as chamber music in its own right.
Musicians
Christopher Palameta, oboe and direction
Mika Putterman, traverso
Laura Andriani, violin
Olivier Brault, violin
Pemi Paull, viola
Susie Napper, cello
Brice Sailly, harpsichord
Aleks Schürmer, piccolo
Marjolaine Goulet, horn
Classica (France)
Philippe Ramin, Mars 2021
"Quelle belle découverte […] L’inspiration de Grétry, souvent primesautière mais capable d’épanchements, oscille entre un sage conservatisme et un brillant déjà rossinien, et décline des thèmes dont la vocalité séduisante sied fort bien au hautbois très expert de Christopher Palameta, seul ou à l’unisson de ses excellents partenaires. Le niveau est en effet très élevé."
***** 5 étoiles
Early Music Review (UK)
D. James Ross, July 2021
"It is a remarkable thought that this charmingly innocent music was composed in 1783, virtually on the eve of the revolution which would sweep its whole world away. The playing of Notturna under the direction of Christopher Palameta is wonderfully idiomatic and expressive, vividly evoking the lost world of this insouciant repertoire."
The Whole Note (Canada)
Richard Haskell, 6 February 2021
"Palameta’s sonorous and well-rounded tone further enhances the recording throughout, and Notturna delivers a polished performance with a fine balance among the instruments. […] Kudos to Palameta and Notturna not only for some fine playing, but for helping bring to light some music that otherwise may have been overlooked."
American Record Guide (USA)
Todd Gorman, September 2021
"These renditions ought to delight your ears as much as mine. Contrasts between phrases in the writing keep the interest high, and the mastery of the performers allows us almost to take this sonic perfection for granted. Christopher Palameta’s oboe playing is terrific and entirely matched by everyone else."
Online Merker - Die internationale Kulturplattform (Zürich)
Jan Krobot, 28 January 2021
"Notturna spielt unter der Leitung seines Gründers Christopher Palameta ausserordentlich konzentriert, lebendig und farbenfroh. Hier ist klanglich zu erleben, was sonst eigentlich nur aus Büchern bekannt ist."
"Under the direction of its founder Christopher Palameta, Notturna plays in an extraordinarily concentrated, colourful and lively fashion. Here, you can experience sonically what is otherwise only known from books."