Gounod - Roméo et Juliette / Alagna, Gheorghiu, van Dam, Keenlyside, Capitole de Toulouse, Plasson;

This wonderful recording makes quite a case for what is often considered a rather sugary opera. Gounod's tale of the unfortunate Veronese couple can seem terribly artificial in some hands--a series of love scenes connected by choruses and chatter--but Plasson obviously respects the score and, while the opera is still no threat to Shakespeare, it comes across as a truly dramatic retelling. And it doesn't hurt to have two young voices as the young lovers: Gheorghiu, with her grainy, textured soprano, is not the chirpy soubrette who too frequently is cast in this role; and her real-life husband, Roberto Alagna, here actually lives up to his hype, singing with style, class, and ringing tone (all the way up to the optional high C with which he ends the third act). The rest of the cast is excellent, singing in idiomatic French and taking the drama seriously as well. This set is a beauty, sugar and all, and is recommended to all fans of fine singing. --Robert Levine