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by Jean Bodin de Boismortier

La Nouvele Sinfonie, La Maison de la Culture

October 27, 2004

October 27, 2004 marked several firsts in Gatineau, Quebec.  It was the North American premiere of Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse, the 1743 comic opera by Jean Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755).  It was the first time an opera had been performed (albeit in concert) at the Maison de la Culture.  And it was the first time Radio-Canada had taped a programme in Gatineau for broadcast.

In 1996 conductor Hervé Niquet became the first to record this baroque gem so rich in melodic and orchestral invention.  In Gatineau he acted as a kind of cross between Peter Sellers and Victor Borge to enliven the performance of the obscure work by providing hilarious spoken introductions to the three acts, tripping over the podium, mocking baroque conventions, feigning boredom at the repeats, dancing along with the dance music, etc.  Despite these antics, he led his 32-member Québecois band of authentic instruments a crisp, dedicated and sprightly performance.

The finest singing came from Shannon Mercer as Altisidore, the Duchess of the title, who decides to trick the visiting Spaniard into thinking he is travelling around the globe to the Congo and Japan.  Mercer’s sparkling recitatives and effortless runs were a constant delight.  François-Nicolas Geslot created a sympathetic portrait of Don Quichotte despite a rather pinched tenor.  Vincent Ranallo used his watery baritone and much mugging as Sancho Pansa.  Bass Alexandre Sylvestre was an effectively menacing Merlin and counter-tenor Jean-François Daignault was very funny both as a Japanese man and as a would-be female lover.  

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in Opera Canada 2004.

Photo: Poster for Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse. ©2004 Espace Musique.