Rameau: Pygmalion & Nélée et Myrthis

The famous story of Pygmalion, who fell in love with one of his own sculptures and brought it to life, inspired Jean-Philippe Rameau with a perfect subject for an acte de ballet: an autonomus sung and danced stage work which finds its justification in its own subject. Recorded in 1992 Howard Crook is technically perfect as the haute-contre Pygmalion and we get to hear an early recording of the very young Sandrine Piau as L'Amour, who has now a hugely deserved reputation internationally. The orchestra and conducting is exemplary, as you might expect from Christie and Les Arts Florissants. Highly recommended.