Massenet Edition [23 CD Box Set]

August 13, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary od the death of Jules Massenet (born 12 May 1842).

Massenet is best-known for his operas and this set contains his two most famous - Manon and Werther as well as rarer works which owe their modern revivals and recordings during the 1970s to the advocacy of Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge.

Richard Bonynge has been a lifelong champion of Massenet and his reference-status recordings of the ballets are included as an integral element in this edition. He also features as an accompanist to Huguette Tourangeau in a widely-admired but long out of print recording of a selection of Massenet Songs.

The 140-page booklet includes full cast lists of the operas and detailed track lists.

Opera critc and writer George Hall has written an article on Massenet's life and works.

Richard Bonynge also contributes a personal note on his discovery and love of Massenet's music.

A CD-ROM contains the opera libretti and Song texts with translations.

This comprehensive 23-CD set with a wealth of glorious music is a must for all Massenet fans and lovers of French music alike.