Day 306
Gounod: Biondina
Anthony Rolfe Johnson
Graham Johnson
In the splendid Hyperion song edition the Gounod edition is divided into two sections - France and England. Biondina is in the ‘England’ section, which seems odd for a song cycle in Italian written by a French composer. The explanation is that this work was written during a long stay by the composer in England.
This is Gounod’s only song cycle. It tells a typical romantic story of a young man falling in love, marrying and then mourning the death of his loved one. The style is rather simpler than many contemporary French art songs - indeed has many similarities with late Victorian ballads. It is quite possible to imagine this being performed in a domestic setting with good amateur musicians. But the music is more sophisticated than the typical ballad with some piquant harmonic touches particular as the piece progresses and the mood darkens.
Gounod’s reputation has not fallen as far as Meyerbeer’s but Faust is no longer at the centre of the repertoire. I don’t know a huge amount of his music but I do enjoy what I have heard. The only piece of Gounod I recall playing is the petite Symphonie for wind instruments which is an absolute delight. I do want to get to know more of his operas - there are plenty to go at.
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