L'Incomparable Georges Thill
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Jean-Baptiste Lully, Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Georges Bizet, Arrigo Boito, Charles-François Gounod, Emile Pessard, Giacomo Meyerbeer, (Clément Philibert) Léo Delibes, Traditional, Pietro Mascagni, Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Julien Tiersot, Théodore (François Clement) Dubois, Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Claude Debussy, Herman Bemberg, Charles (Louis Eugène) Koechlin, (Jean) Emile (Auguste) Bernard, Johann Paul Aegidius Martini
Label: Pearl
Magazine Review Date: 8/1995
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 66
Mastering:
Acoustic
ADD
Catalogue Number: GEMMCD9161
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Robert le Diable, Movement: ~ |
Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer Marcel Journet, Bass Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
(Le) Roi d'Ys, Movement: ~ |
Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Composer |
Lakmé, Movement: ~ |
(Clément Philibert) Léo Delibes, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra (Clément Philibert) Léo Delibes, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
Manon, Movement: ~ |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Frank la Forge, Piano Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
Werther, Movement: ~ |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
Jocelyn |
Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
Roméo et Juliette, 'Romeo and Juliet', Movement: ~ |
Charles-François Gounod, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Charles-François Gounod, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor Geraldine Farrar, Soprano Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
Mefistofele, Movement: Lontano, lontano |
Arrigo Boito, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Arrigo Boito, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor Geraldine Farrar, Soprano Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
Cavalleria rusticana, Movement: O Lola ch'ai di latti fior di spino (Siciliana) |
Pietro Mascagni, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Pietro Mascagni, Composer |
Ca fait peur |
(Jean) Emile (Auguste) Bernard, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano (Jean) Emile (Auguste) Bernard, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
Romances et Chansons du XVIII siècle, Movement: Bergère légère |
Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Frank la Forge, Piano Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer |
(L')Adieu du matin |
Emile Pessard, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Emile Pessard, Composer Frank la Forge, Piano |
Plaisir d'amour |
Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Composer |
(Il) neige |
Herman Bemberg, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Herman Bemberg, Composer |
Au clair de la lune |
Jean-Baptiste Lully, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Geraldine Farrar, Soprano Jean-Baptiste Lully, Composer |
Poème d'Avril, Movement: Sonnet matinal |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
Romances et Chansons du XVIII siècle, Movement: Venez, agréable printemps |
Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer |
Romances et Chansons du XVIII siècle, Movement: Ronde villageoise |
Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer |
Jeunes fillettes |
Théodore (François Clement) Dubois, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Théodore (François Clement) Dubois, Composer |
Silence ineffable |
Claude Debussy, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Claude Debussy, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
Si tu le veux |
Charles (Louis Eugène) Koechlin, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Charles (Louis Eugène) Koechlin, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
En passant par la Lorraine |
Julien Tiersot, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Julien Tiersot, Composer |
(Les) Filles de la Rochelle |
Traditional, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Traditional, Composer |
(Les) Pêcheurs de Perles, '(The) Pearl Fishers', Movement: ~ |
Georges Bizet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Georges Bizet, Composer Marcel Journet, Bass Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
Composer or Director: Jean-Baptiste Lully, Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Georges Bizet, Herman Bemberg, Arrigo Boito, Gioachino Rossini, Jean-Baptiste Faure, Charles-François Gounod, Emile Pessard, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Robert Schumann, (François) Adrien Boïeldieu, Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Arcadet, Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo
Label: Romophone
Magazine Review Date: 8/1995
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 74
Mastering:
Acoustic
ADD
Catalogue Number: 82002-2
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
(Il) Barbiere di Siviglia, '(The) Barber of Seville', Movement: ~ |
Gioachino Rossini, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Gioachino Rossini, Composer |
Roméo et Juliette, 'Romeo and Juliet', Movement: ~ |
Charles-François Gounod, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Charles-François Gounod, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
Manon, Movement: ~ |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
(La) Dame blanche, Movement: Ah! quel plaisir d'être soldat! |
(François) Adrien Boïeldieu, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano (François) Adrien Boïeldieu, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
Romances et Chansons du XVIII siècle, Movement: Bergère légère |
Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Frank la Forge, Piano Jean-Baptiste (Théodore) Weckerlin, Composer |
(L')Adieu du matin |
Emile Pessard, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Emile Pessard, Composer Frank la Forge, Piano |
Chanson Lorraine |
Arcadet, Composer
Arcadet, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor Frank la Forge, Piano |
Poème d'Avril, Movement: Sonnet matinal |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Frank la Forge, Piano Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
(Il) neige |
Herman Bemberg, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Frank la Forge, Piano Herman Bemberg, Composer |
Ça fait peur aux oiseaux |
Herman Bemberg, Composer
Edmond Clément, Tenor Frank la Forge, Piano Herman Bemberg, Composer |
(Le) Roi d'Ys, Movement: ~ |
Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Edouard(-Victoire-Antoine) Lalo, Composer |
Jocelyn |
Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor |
Werther, Movement: ~ |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
(Les) Rameaux |
Jean-Baptiste Faure, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Jean-Baptiste Faure, Composer Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
Robert le Diable, Movement: ~ |
Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer Marcel Journet, Bass Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
(Les) Pêcheurs de Perles, '(The) Pearl Fishers', Movement: ~ |
Georges Bizet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Georges Bizet, Composer Marcel Journet, Bass Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
Danté et Béatrice |
Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Composer
Benjamin (Louis Paul) Godard, Composer |
Mefistofele, Movement: Lontano, lontano |
Arrigo Boito, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Arrigo Boito, Composer Edmond Clément, Tenor Geraldine Farrar, Soprano Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
(4) Duette, Movement: Umterm Fenster (wds. Burns, trans. Gerhard) |
Robert Schumann, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Edmond Clément, Tenor Geraldine Farrar, Soprano Robert Schumann, Composer Rosario Bourdon, Conductor |
Au clair de la lune |
Jean-Baptiste Lully, Composer
Anonymous Pianist(s), Piano Edmond Clément, Tenor Geraldine Farrar, Soprano Jean-Baptiste Lully, Composer |
Composer or Director: Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Giuseppe Verdi, Charles-François Gounod, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Gioachino Rossini, André (Charles Prosper) Messager, Nicholas Etienne Méhul, (Louis Charles Bonaventure) Alfred Bruneau, Richard Wagner, (Jacques-François-)Fromental(-Elie) Halévy, Christoph Gluck
Label: Forlane
Magazine Review Date: 8/1995
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 62
Mastering:
Mono
ADD
Catalogue Number: UCD16727
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Hérodiade, Movement: ~ |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Fernand Heurteur, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
Aida, Movement: ~ |
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Giuseppe Verdi, Composer |
(La) Juive, Movement: ~ |
(Jacques-François-)Fromental(-Elie) Halévy, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra (Jacques-François-)Fromental(-Elie) Halévy, Composer Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor |
Alceste, Movement: ~ |
Christoph Gluck, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Christoph Gluck, Composer Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor |
(Le) Cid, Movement: O noble lame étincelante |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
(Les) Huguenots, Movement: ~ |
Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Giacomo Meyerbeer, Composer |
Pagliacci, 'Players', Movement: ~ |
Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Composer |
Lohengrin, Movement: In fernem Land |
Richard Wagner, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Richard Wagner, Composer |
(La) traviata, Movement: ~ |
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Giuseppe Verdi, Composer |
Guillaume Tell, Movement: Asile héréditaire (O muto asil) |
Gioachino Rossini, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Eugène Bigot, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor Gioachino Rossini, Composer |
Joseph |
Nicholas Etienne Méhul, Composer
Nicholas Etienne Méhul, Composer |
Sapho |
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer
Jules (Emile Frédéric) Massenet, Composer |
Roméo et Juliette, 'Romeo and Juliet', Movement: ~ |
Charles-François Gounod, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra Charles-François Gounod, Composer Georges Thill, Tenor Philippe Gaubert, Conductor |
Fortunio |
André (Charles Prosper) Messager, Composer
André (Charles Prosper) Messager, Composer |
(L')Attaque du Moulin, Movement: Les Adieux à la forêt |
(Louis Charles Bonaventure) Alfred Bruneau, Composer
(Anonymous) Orchestra (Louis Charles Bonaventure) Alfred Bruneau, Composer Alfred Bruneau, Conductor Georges Thill, Tenor |
Author:
Of Clement we have the 23 items heard in the complete Victor recordings on Romophone, a few Odeons (five in the Romophone programme), together with a few more discs made later for Pathe and well represented on Pearl. In his time he was a famous Don Jose and Hoffmann. Tamino and Ottavio, Rodolfo and Pinkerton were also among his roles in Paris, where in 1894 he was Fenton in the French premiere of Falstaff. None of this is on record. Even so, his voice and art have an unmistakable individuality: the single hour or so of his singing on either of these discs leaves a clear impression, a vocal 'image' which in many respects stands as ideal of its kind.
For a first sampling of Clement's quality, I would suggest, not the 1905 Odeons which open the Romophone collection, but the recordings of November 11th, 1911. These were of the Dream from Manon and six French songs, light and 'insignificant' perhaps, but charming examples of the art which knows so well how to hold an audience's attention by the lightening of a note, the linking of a phrase, all done with unostentatious skill and unfailing good taste. Later come duets with Geraldine Farrar, delightful mementoes of both artists, finely matched in the murmurous nostalgia of ''Lontano, lontano'' from Mefistofele and making Schumann's Unterm Fenster sound as thoroughly French as Au clair de la lune which follows. At the end of all this it may be time to go back to the Odeons and appreciate the fluency of the Barbiere aria, ''Ecco, ridente in cielo'', with its finely spun trills, even if the cavalier approach to note-values cannot be condoned.
In the Pearl selection, three songs from the November 11th session are heard instead of the versions made later – similar in style but with heavier surfaces – for Pathe. Twelve tracks are common to both Clement collections, Pearl having also 12 Pathes, two of which are transferred from fine reissues by the American Historic Record Society. There are some delightful things among these, notably the traditional song, Les filles de la Rochelle, sung with a playful intimacy that adds valuably to our knowledge of the singer. In the items they have in common, Romophone's transfers are the cleaner, but the more serious count against Pearl is that their disc has the delightful Ca fait peur aux oiseaux and (inexcusably) the Pecheurs de perles duet with Journet a semitone high.
Thill, admirable singer as he was, strikes me afresh by comparison as the less interesting artist. In a general way he suits his style to the aria, or to the changing moods of recitative, as before ''Celeste Aida'', but his characters rarely prove distinctive; in the aria from La juive Eleazar might as well be Radames, Romeo or any of the other characters. The joy lies in his voice, the evenness of its production and the dignity of its usage. A good selection is made here, with Lohengrin's Narration and the ''Noble lame'' solo from Le Cid being newly impressive. Unfortunately the transfers are somewhat dull and confined, documentation is minimal, and the timings seem to have been made on a watch going at some odd speed of its own – the Pagliacci, for instance, said to be 1'09'', is more like 2'43''. R1 '9509001'
Explore the world’s largest classical music catalogue on Apple Music Classical.
Included with an Apple Music subscription. Download now.
Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Events & Offers
From £9.20 / month
SubscribeGramophone Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Events & Offers
From £11.45 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.