The French composer Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) was one of the most popular composers of his time, loved for his elegant style and catchy melodies. He started his career writing vaudeville songs, but later wrote mainly opéras comiques (French operas with spoken dialogue) and ballets. His most famous work is the ballet "Giselle" (1841). In the 1940s, things went downhill financially for Adam. He broke
… with the Opéra Comique theater and then tried to open his own theater. Partly because of the revolution of 1848, it became a fiasco. For the rest of his life, Adam worked hard to pay off his debts and so die as a respected man. He succeeded in this in 1853, but it had taken its toll: he died of a heart attack three years later. A CD with a recording of Adams opéra comique "Le toréador" (1849) has recently become available. Soloists are Sumi Jo, John Aler and Michel Trempont. The Orchestra of Welsh National Opera is conducted by Richard Bonynge. "Le toréador" originated in the difficult period of Adam's debts. Most of it was composed in only six days. Originally the work was intended as an interlude, but it grew into a full-fledged opéra comique. The opera is best known for its setting with the variations on the theme of "Ah, vous dirai-je, maman", better known to us from "Always Kortjakken ill". This piece has always been very popular with coloratura sopranos, because here they can display great virtuosity. In the opera the terzet actually represents a major flirtation. The married Coraline sings the variations and is accompanied on the flute by her secret lover Tracolin. The theme is adorned more and more exuberantly by the two, while the unsuspecting husband hums the bass part: "Ah vous dirai-je, maman" had lost its innocent character for the public of that time forever. (CP) _more
