Lully: Armide / Rousset, Les Talens Lyrique

Following on acclaimed releases of Bellérophon, Phaéton and Amadis, Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques continue their revival of Lully's tragédies lyriques with Armide. His last collaboration with librettist Philippe Quinault, it is based on Torquato Tasso's poem ''La Gerusalemme liberata.'' It tells the story of enchantress Armide's unhappy love for the knight Renaud. The pinnacle of the tragédie lyrique form in both book and composition, it includes Armide's famous monologue ''Enfin, il est en ma puissance,'' considered a model of French recitative. Premiering in February 1686, this masterpiece, would be crowned with lasting success.

Price: $39.98