This week’s gem from the Mike Richter collection is all the more precious for its rarity: a performance of Fauré’s Pénélope starring ravishing Régine Crespin.

Fauré: Pénélope
Radio concert performance, May 24, 1956

Pénelope: Régine Crespin
Ulysse: Raoul Jobin
Eurymaque: Robert Massard
Euryclée: Christiane Gayraud
Cléone: Madeleine Cagnard
Melantho: Françoise Ogéas
Alkandre: Geneviève Macaux
Phylo: Nicole Robin
Eumée: André Vessières
Antinoüs: Joseph Peyron
Léodès: Michel Hamel
Ctésipe: Bernard Demigny
Pisandre: Pierre Germain

Désiré-Emile Inghelbrecht, conductor
Les Choeurs de la RTF et l ‘Orchestre National

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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