Soprano Florie Valiquette is one of those young Quebec artists making a real breakthrough on the European opera market, in her case particularly (but not only) in the baroque and classical repertoire. This recital recorded at the Palace of Versailles with the Royal Opera Orchestra brings together arias taken from exotic operas whose theme revolves around “beautiful captives” with cruel destinies: The Cairo caravan Where Zemir and Azor by Gretry, The abduction at seraglio by Mozart, The beautiful slave of Philidor, Mecca pilgrims by Gluck, Aline, Queen of Golconda of Monsigny and Suleiman Second of Gilbert. Original and coherent program, therefore, in which Florie Valiquette, coloratura soprano, is sometimes associated with the excellent tenor Nicholas Scott. The easy high-pitched voice has body and the singer seeks to bring the lyrics to life. Florie Valiquette is not a “vocal phenomenon” (like Gruberova or Damrau), but a very beautiful artist sketched here in an ideal portrait.
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