Confluences – Maurice Clement

   in Opera Now (Mar, 2014)
Vogel’s first opera is quite a rarity. He is better known, if at all, for his second and last opera, Demophon. The composer, rather a lush, apparently teamed up with another drunk, Philippe Desriaux, who provided the libretti for both works. The booze did the trick, for although La Toison d’or (Het Golden Fleece) was never a hit, I found it an interesting listen. The music, post-Gluckian, is vivid and exciting and the orchestral effects strong, Vogel throws in some graceful arias and ensembles, vivid recitatives and original instrumentation and it makes for an exciting mix. Herve Niquet conducts Le Concert Spirituel with some dash and the cast is excellent. …