French opera revival gains momentum
French romantic music is experiencing a resurgence thanks to the Palazzetto Bru Zane, an organization focused on reviving forgotten works from the era. The group recently brought attention to Jules Massenet’s Roma, a 1912 opera long overlooked by the operatic world.Performance highlights Massenet’s Roma
On September 28, Roma was performed in concert form at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. The event featured the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Radio France Choir, led by Diego Ceretta. The performance was noted for its strong vocal performances, especially from soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen and tenor Jean-François Borras.Recording and future release planned
The concert was recorded and broadcast on France Musique. A CD version of the performance is set for release in 2027 by the Bru Zane label, continuing the organization’s efforts to preserve and share rare musical works.Upcoming releases focus on French romanticism
The Palazzetto Bru Zane has several projects in the pipeline. These include a five-disc set exploring the cello in French romanticism, scheduled for March 2027, and two CDs dedicated to the works of Clémence de Grandval, planned for May 2027. The label also produces limited-edition "library" CD books with high-quality production and bilingual texts.Recent releases showcase diverse repertoire
Recent recordings include Zampa, a comic opera by Ferdinand Hérold, performed by the Münchner Rundfunkorchester and Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Erik Nielsen. Another release is Jean de Nivelle by Léo Delibes, a three-CD set with texts, libretto, and illustrations, conducted by György Vashegyi with the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra and National Choir.Future projects aim to revive forgotten operas
The label plans to release Médée by Luigi Cherubini in March 2027, recorded by the Concert de la Loge under Julien Chauvin. Also coming is La Montagne noire by Augusta Holmès, a work composed in 1884 and long forgotten. These projects emphasize the Palazzetto Bru Zane’s mission to restore French romantic music to the cultural spotlight.
