Charles Gounod was enchanted by the young Provençal-born Frédéric Mistral’s epic love poem Mirèio, and enlisted the distinguished Michel Carré to fashion a libretto. Against the grain of prevailing operatic practice in the 1860s, and its promotion of glamour and spectacle, Gounod relished instead the lives of modest country people and their idyllic world. He utilises folk dances and a shepherd’s lament to chart the story of his tragic heroine whose desire to marry her true love ends in her death. ‘Everything feels true to the opera’s pastoral spirit’ wrote Gramophone about this production, which marked the opera’s first appearance at the Paris Opéra.

This performance is conducted Marc Minkowski who also directed Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer released on 2110637 (DVD) and NBD0099V (Blu-ray). Gramophone wrote: ‘The cast is good and Brimberg especially is an exceptional Senta, able in both the heroics and the glooms of this tricky in-between role.’

Minkowski came to fame with Les Musiciens du Louvre with whom he conducted many pioneering Baroque performances and recordings but has since widened his repertoire to include operas of all periods and has specialised in critically acclaimed works by Offenbach.

The New York Times wrote of the 2009 production: ‘The role is a triumph for the Albanian soprano Inva Mula, a soprano of keen dramatic convictions… Some critics faulted Ms. Mula’s characterization and in so doing echoed opinions voiced at the premiere that Mireille’s grand aria “En marche!”… But Ms. Mula sings it magnificently: the voice has considerable amplitude and a handsome focus as well as a slight tartness that nicely suits French opera. The American tenor Charles Castronovo engages with Ms. Mula appealingly in their duets and offers a polished account of “Anges du paradis,” a vain prayer for Mireille’s safe return.’

Cast:
- Mireille: Inva Mula (soprano)
- Vincent: Charles Castronovo (tenor)
- Ourrais: Franck Ferrari (baritone)
- Maître Ramon: Alain Vernhes (baritone)
- Taven: Sylvie Brunet (mezzo-soprano)
- Vincenette: Anne-Catherine Gillet (soprano)
- Andreloun: Sébastien Droy (tenor)
- Maître Ambroise: Nicolas Cavallier (bass-baritone)
- Clémence: Amel-Brahim Djelloul (soprano)
- Le Passeur: Ugo Rabec (bass)