ANDRÉ CAMPRA (1660-1744): Tancrède (First Recording of Complete Opera).

Description: The 1990 Erato recording (now out-of-print) was an abridged version of this 1702 tragédie en musique now recorded in its entirety for the first time. Notable for the first appearance of a contralto on stage and for three low-voice male roles (one contemporary French writer found this “shocking” and “excessive”!) as well as 23 airs and dances, it also has some strikingly dramatic arias and innovative use of obbligato instruments accompanying arias. 3 CDs. French-English libretto. Benoît Arnould, Alain Buet (baritones), Isabelle Druet (mezzo), Chantal Santon (soprano), Les Chantres du Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, Orchestre Les Temps Présents; Olivier Schneebeli.