Debussy - Pelleas Et Melisande

Pros: Haunting, Impressionist music; elegant production; excellent singers, orchestra; strikingly sombre sets; video direction.

Cons: Other than relatively steep price, nil.

The Bottom Line: An Impressionist opera, 'Pelléas et Mélisande' becomes an entrancing experience in this elegant staging by the Welsh National Opera/Châtelet Théatre Musical de Paris.

Review: Although love blooms, jealousy rages, one character is killed and another dies, not much hard action really takes place in ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’, the sole operatic work by French composer Claude Debussy. The opera's libretto ...

Pros: Best available video recording of this unique opera; Debussy's luscious music

Cons: Sluggish and distinctly non-gripping storyline

The Bottom Line: Best available video recording of this unique opera; Debussy's luscious music

Review: Debussy (1862-1918) wrote in a full range of classical forms, including orchestral works, chamber music, piano music, songs, choral works, and stage works.  In the last of these categories, he composed three ballets but completed just one opera ...