high E @ 2:19 !! Michael Spyres sings Polyeucte's Act III cabaletta “Oui, j'irai dans les temples“, Mark Elder, conductor. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Opera Rara Chorus. 4 Nov 2014 Royal Festival Hall, London Michael Spyres - Polyeucte Joyce El-Khoury - Pauline David Kempster - Sévère Brindley Sherratt - Félix Clive Bayley - Callisthènes Wynne Evans - Néarque Opera Rara Chorus Les Martyrs (The Martyrs) is a four-act grand opera by Gaetano Donizetti set to a French libretto by Eugene Scribe. The libretto was based on one written by Salvadore Cammarano for an original Italian version known as Poliuto, which was not performed until after the composer's death. Pierre Corneille's play Polyeucte written in 1641–42, the story of which reflected the life of the early Christian martyr Saint Polyeuctus, is the original source for both versions. When Poliuto was banned by the King of Naples just before it was due to be performed in 1838, Donizetti became angry at this decision and, with a commission from
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