Graham Johnson (Piano)
John Ainsley (Tenor)

Léo Delibes : Bonjour, Suzon

Léo Delibes : Départ

Léo Delibes : Regrets

Henri Duparc : L'invitation au voyage


This latest recital from the eternal spring of Graham Johnsons pioneering research is entitled Linvitation au voyage. Johnson takes us on a fascinating armchair tour of twenty-four melodies from a fascinating period of time when nothing really mattered. No fewer than eight composers are new to the Hyperion catalogue, already so rich in French song, and while these microcosms of salon charm are rarely sublime, every note is perfectly placed. True to the discs title, four complete settings of the famous Baudelaire text are featured. Listen to the sheer quality of music-making as tenor John Mark Ainsley is alive to every halting breath of a song. -The Times (UK)