Marie-Nicole Lemieux & Roger Vignoles

In 2000, the Canadian contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux won the Queen Elisabeth Contest and was also awarded the prize for the best Lieder performance. Together with the Lieder pianist Roger Vignoles she chose to give this recital of songs with words by Goethe and Baudelaire. Two literary giants who have inspired many composers to write their best songs. At least, those who were bold enough to add music to these writers’ rich imagery and language. Ravel and Poulenc are two who never took up the challenge, but fortunately the young Debussy and Duparc did. They heaped on an almost decadent, profuse sonority in the style of Wagner, which Baudelaire defended through thick and thin. Let Lemieux’ sumptuous and supple voice transport you to the exquisite world of ‘Luxe, calme et volupté’!