PANCRACE ROYER (1703-1755): Pyrrhus.

Description: This first production by the young composer premiered in 1730 and had only seven performances (the libretto was considered to be the problem, not the music) but is valuable as a waystop on the road from Lully to Rameau in the evolution of the tragédie lyrique. More complex harmonic work, large-scale choruses with solo passages and more elaborate orchestral accompaniments (influenced by contemporary Italian styles) are among Royer's personal stylistic traits. Needless to say - World Premiere Recording. 2 CDs. French-English libretto. Guillemette Laurens (mezzo), Emmanuelle De Negri (soprano), Jeffrey Thompson (tenor), Alain Buet (bass), Les Enfants d'Apollon; Michael Greenberg & Lisa Goode Crawford.